How to tell if alternator is bad or wiring is bad? (searched)
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I missed the boat
Joined: Aug 2002
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From: PNW
How to tell if alternator is bad or wiring is bad? (searched)
Hey guys I finished my OBD1 B16 swap into my 2000 civic hatch and it started and drove fine for the first few hours after it was done (I assume on battery power). When it was time to head home I turned on the headlights and headed out, a few miles into the trip the lights dimmed and finally they turned off and the car died. So I jumpstart my car and it instanly fires to life and I set out again this time same thing happens only right after I leave 
.
So now I am wandering:
#1- Is it OK to use a D series alternator on a Bseries motor?
#2- Is there a fuse for the alternator that could be blown?
#3- How do I tell the difference between a wiring problem and a alternator problem?
I used the harness off of my 2000 civic so I used the alternator from this car also, I checked the plug and it looks good and is securely in the alternator, I also checked the ground and it looks good also.
Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated......I wanna drive this thing
.So now I am wandering:
#1- Is it OK to use a D series alternator on a Bseries motor?
#2- Is there a fuse for the alternator that could be blown?
#3- How do I tell the difference between a wiring problem and a alternator problem?
I used the harness off of my 2000 civic so I used the alternator from this car also, I checked the plug and it looks good and is securely in the alternator, I also checked the ground and it looks good also.
Any ideas or suggestions are greatly appreciated......I wanna drive this thing
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Joined: Aug 2001
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Re: How to tell if alternator is bad or wiring is bad? (EGCIV)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EGCIV »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
#1- Is it OK to use a D series alternator on a Bseries motor?
#2- Is there a fuse for the alternator that could be blown?
#3- How do I tell the difference between a wiring problem and a alternator problem?</TD></TR></TABLE>
#1- Nope, won't
#2- Nope. Your car wouldn't have initially fired up if the fuse was blown, but check it anyways.
#3- Start the car up and unplug the battery. The power should be running from the alternator when you do... if the car dies, then alternator is bad. If you have a battery CEL showing up on your cluster, alternator is bad. If your car is dying when driving with lights on (you see the headlights and/or dash lights dimming, and then your cars dies), the alternator is bad.
Those are some of the more common symptoms. If you have access to another B-series alternator, pop it in and try it out.
#1- Is it OK to use a D series alternator on a Bseries motor?
#2- Is there a fuse for the alternator that could be blown?
#3- How do I tell the difference between a wiring problem and a alternator problem?</TD></TR></TABLE>
#1- Nope, won't
#2- Nope. Your car wouldn't have initially fired up if the fuse was blown, but check it anyways.
#3- Start the car up and unplug the battery. The power should be running from the alternator when you do... if the car dies, then alternator is bad. If you have a battery CEL showing up on your cluster, alternator is bad. If your car is dying when driving with lights on (you see the headlights and/or dash lights dimming, and then your cars dies), the alternator is bad.
Those are some of the more common symptoms. If you have access to another B-series alternator, pop it in and try it out.
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