I have a 1998 Honda Civic LX with 80k, it is completely stock.

When it warms up all the electrical systems "flicker". The headlights get bright then dim, VERY dim. The fan speed of the heater blower varies in speed. The guage lights vary in intensity. I have changed the alternator and it still does it. I have also replaced the heavy guage ground wire that connects the front of the engine to the chassis.

What could be causing this???

Because of the headlight dimming I do not even feel safe driving it at night anymore

Thanks for your help.

 

Your battery good? Have it tested. You can also pop the battery caps off, and make sure all fluids are level, if low, add distilled water.

 

I also replaced the battery, inspected the battery cables, and made good connections on the battery.

 

And all of the grounds in the engine bay? Do you have any way of measuring battery voltage while the car is running?

 

Are there more grounds than the heavy guage wire that comes off the front of the engine to the chassis? I only replaced the one.

I have a multimeter... Not to sure what to look for with it though...

I took it to AutoZone and they did an engine running alternator test and found no problems. Also, I replaced the alternator a few months ago.

 

ttt

 

there are several grounds, I don't think you have a ground problem, but a voltage regulation problem. I don't know where(probably somewhere in the alternator) but there should be a voltage regulator. I've heard people have had problem with alternators from Autozone and have had to switch them out over and over, and finally gave in and spent the extra money for an OEM one. So you could possibly still have a bad alternator. I'd go through and do a visual inspection and make sure everything is plugged in and see that all grounds are intact first off, next step is check every fuse on the car. Just because the fuse says it's for the radio doesn't mean that's all it will affect, if you get what I mean.

 

Often times rebuilt alternators are crap. I would definately get one from your honda dealer even tho they wont be the cheapest.

 

i had that problem with my old car and when they put the tester on it i was running like 12.6 volts A+ so i would probably have to agree by saying that u cant beat the quality of the oem