I have a 1991 Civic EX w/ a stock motor. For the past few months I have been having this intermittent electrical problem, but it has been happening with more and more frequency.

I have done some searching, and while I have found threads that had parts of my issue in them, none that I found had all issues present.

Intermittently as I'm driving, my radio will shut off and at the same time my dash indicators will get brighter. If my headlights are on, they get brighter as well. Additionally, if my fan/heater is on, the air blows harder. Very occasionally when this issue happens, just before the radio 'turns back on' the battery indicator will briefly light up.

It's worth noting that the display of the stereo stays lit, so I know it doesn't lose power completely. It's an aftermarket stereo, a BLAUPUNKT, but I have no idea as to which particular model.

Thanks in advance for your help and advice.

Edit: I forgot to mention, this happened to me while I had my high beams on while driving through the mountains, and it caused them to blow. I haven't replaced my brights because I do not want to lose them again while this issue persists.

 

Your alternator is shooting more volts then it should
Mine was doing exactly the same thing yours is doing
Take care of it before it burns up your battery
A alternator is supposed to give out like 13/14 volts
When it was happening to me it was giving out 17 volts
I can almost bet money on it its gonna be that

 

voltage regulator in the alternator is failing. You can replace just the regulator but anymore its cheaper or about the same cost and smarter to just replace the whole aging alternator.

 

It sounds more like a bad ground. Check the one on the thermostat housing and the one on the transmission. Take them off and clean them with some sandpaper and make sure they are tight when you put them back on.

 

I will check the grounds and make sure everything is solid before committing to the more expensive option of replacing the alternator.

Thank you all for your responses.

 

Take the alternator off and get it checked.
If that's your problem and you don't take care of it your battery will soon start to leak
Acid and you'll end up having to replace the battery too.