I have a 93 accord coupe.
Recently I've be havng some electrical problems.
At night, sometimes when I step on the brake, the lights dim brieflyfor like 1/2 a sec.
My cd player also randomly turs on and back off repeately too.
When I turn the deck off and takeoff the face plate I still get the lights dimming problem.
Does anyone have any idea what the problem could be?

 

You could be shorting something out, or running too much to your battery.

 

Partially discharged Battery
Insufficient Alternator output
Loose Alternator belt
lazy Voltage Regulator

You're going to get 'some' dimming as you turn different components on / off, it just depends on how much is normal.

P

 

I second the above suggestions by P_Adams.

Just a little bit of trivia for you: Most aftermarket CD players automatically shut off when the voltage drops below ~10 volts. (This doesn't include quick dips below 10 volts, but rather when the voltage dips below 10 for at least a couple seconds.) When the goes back above 10, the deck turns back on automatically.

I would bet more on an alternator/voltage regulater problem. I believe Autozone (and some Kwik Kar-type places) will check your alternator and battery for free.

 

I know the alt is prety old.
I would immediately suspect the alt, my next guess is the batt.
I have a red top optima and it's been lke 6 yrs on it.

 

load test your system. Most likely your battery is placing a drag on your alternator.

 

I think it's the alt.
I was stuck in traffic last night, stop (for a long time) then go. As I stopped the lights TOTALLY DIMMED until I stepped on the gas again. After like the 5 time I braked the car started making a click sound, then the motor died.
Luckily when I cranked the motor it came back and I immediately did an illegal U with cops around and drove it home fast.
Does that sound like the alt to you guys?

 

Listen, rather than start another thread and waist everyone's time shuffling between both, stick with this one.
Voltmeter:
test between the two Battery terminals
Engine at idle
no less than 13.8 volts
no more than 14.4 volts

engine off;
no less than 12.2 volts
no more than 12.6 volts

Lets stop guessing about this. Let me know what you find

P

Or let Deathzone Auto Parts check it out; they'll be more than happy to sell you something.

 

Do they sell volt meters there?
I don't want to risk during the car right now to autozone.

 

Although I don't buy test equipment from DeathZone, I suspect you could.

I know you could pick up one pretty cheap from either Craftsman, Radidio Shack and other such places.
It's really the most basic of test tools for electrical problems, and should be a part of your tool box.
You'll find the most versitle are refered to as Multimeters. You can get away with a Volt/Ohm Meter to start

P

 

I'm going to get the meter this weekend, so Could you guys tell me what results will mean what when I get the values from the meter?
Also would a partialy discharged batery still allow me start the car?

 

Yes and yes

Yes, will be glad to evaluate you're findings

Yes, Partial charged battery will still start a car (depends on how discharged it is)

P

 

sounds like you need to get your alternator checked.. go to a local parts store and see if they will do it for you. Or check your battery with your car on and it should be around 14 volts if its good. (someone correct me if im wrong). if your alternator is dieing, when alot of power (lights, cd player, and then brake lights) then you'll notice your lights dimming.

 

ahaha wow somehow i didn't see anyones posts above me. Sorry for repeating!


but if you have under 12 volts.. thats bad

12-13 is probably a dieing alternator

13-14 is normal with the car on

14-15 is a little high i think?

 

Thanks will keep u all updated


Modified by Spider Man at 9:00 PM 2/14/2006

 

where do u get 14 volts? a fully charged battery is like 12.65 volts or something along the lines. maybe this guy has some unwanted resistance on his battery posts. check ur battery's voltage and check for dirty cables. keep us updated

 

14 volts is while the car is running, as supplied by the alternator.

 

I have a red top optima, it doesn't leak so the posts are clean.
I removed the battery for the time being.
I've been at work all week and will be getting my hands on a volt meter tomorrow.
I'll test it then and let you guys know.

 

update:
I just used a volt meter to test it out, ended up going to kragen cause the guy I was gonna get the meter wasn't around.
Engine off: 12.8
Engine on 14.4

 

12.8 sounds a little too high of a votlage reading. To get rid of the excesive volts run on your head lamps. I think that will get the volt reading lower when u test it again

 

btw how much did you pay for your volt meter?

 

I didn't buy one, I ended up going to kragen and the guy did it for me.
We ran it with the lights on while the motor was on.

So I guess the qustion is now.
Is it my battery?

 

anyone?

 

i'm going to go with no its not your battery.

 

Well I was thinking batt or alt.
So what would the suspect be now?