I have a 99 DX hatch, D16Y7 1.6l 4cylinder that is having some issues that I don't quite understand.

I had to replaced the alternator twice in a month, the first replacement was bad. I've changed the distributor cap/rotor, spark plugs and wires.. which will be changed again once the ones I ordered arrive. Brand new battery and terminal cables. I also have a new radiator I plan on putting in it soon, though nothing is wrong with the old one.

Since I replaced the alternator the first time, the battery light has not turned off. The overhead lights in my gauge clusters started working again but shortly stopped and won't turn back on. So my cluster is hard to read at night.

The AC compressor pulley is acting up. No one can give me a straight answer if it's suppose to be turning while the ac is off or not. When I turn the ac on, my car runs like crap for about 20 seconds and then goes back to normal. I've noticed that when the pulley tries to turn with my ac off, it's a terrible metal grinding noise.

I'm not sure if it's a vacuum leak or not but when I press of the break my idling drops and when I release it the idling goes back up. My car stalls out several times a day because of this and it's really annoying. I can't even go through a drive thru without my car dying at least 4 times. I've been told it's a vacuum leak in the brake booster and I've been told it's bad grounds. I've also been told it could be the fuel pump. So I'm at a loss on what to do with her.

I've had her since August and she's becoming a money pit. Lol

 

Alternator warning light - Measure the voltage across the battery posts with the engine idling.

With A/C off, the pulley should turn but the armature plate should not. The grinding noise is probably a bad pulley bearing.

Idle problem - Any CEL codes? Have you cleaned the IACV and replaced the PCV valve

 

The pulley struggles to turn unless the ac is on. It's almost like it can't.

As for the IAVC, I have not cleaned it nor have a looked at the PCV. I'll have to wait until Thursday since I worked insane hours at work.

Last time I checked the codes it only had a 02 sensor code for the converter but I have a straight pipe on my car, so that 02 sensor isn't there anymore.

 

Compressor pulley bearing - replace it.

 

Awesome, thanks. Maybe this will save me from having to buy a whole new ac compressor lol