1989 Civic DX Hatch 5spd D15B2 motor
170 amp Alterstart alternator
0 gauge wire from battery to starter
0 gauge wire from battery to under hood fuse box
0 gauge ground wire
First symptom:
My battery light in my cluster is flickering. Not flashing, flickering. At idle it stays off. When I rev the engine it flickers lightly. When I'm in gear and giving it throttle it flickers almost to the point of strobing.
Second symptom:
The other lights in the cluster all glow slightly at high RPM's.
Third symptom:
Battery seemingly dying. Ill turn the key to start and it will half crank then stop and my Voltage meter will say LO. I wait a few minutes and the car stutters to a start.
Fourth Symptom:
I have a Stinger digital voltage meter. It jumps from 12v to 13.8v while I'm driving. The alternator tops out at 14.1v under full throttle. That's normal. But sometimes ill be driving and it will stay at 12v then jump to 13.2 like its supposed to then drop back down. The fluctuations are completely random.
5th Symptom:
When I turn the key to the on position the lights in the cluster that stay on are the signal light indicators and the high beam light indicator. When I turn the key to start nothing happens. Then I pump the clutch a few times, the indicator lights shut off, and I turn the key and the car starts like normal. Then again when I'm driving the battery light flickers, the voltage jumps around, and the indicator lights flicker.
Any ideas?
Troubleshooting suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

 

Start looking for hanging wires around the clutch pedal.

If there are aftermarket electronics installed, look to see how well they were wired in. Correct twisted & taped connections with solder connections. Check for butt connectors no longer making contact. Look for wires routed under the console, seats, etc to see if they're pinched.

The other idea is that you may have a bad diode in the alternator. Use a service manual and check to see if you have the proper voltages and GROUND (all caps for emphasis) connections. Franchise auto parts stores will usually test your charging system for free (because they expect you to purchase needed parts from them).

Hope this helps.

Mike

 

Check for proper grounds around the pedals. Also some autopart stores can test your alternator for free.

Forgot to add:
Do the lights flicker when you hit bumps in the road?