HELP, alternator problem
My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it
seems) Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be jump started a couple of times Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok off the alternator She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or something that could be the problem One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or arms itself and goes off Any suggestions? Thanks for your help in advance Brian |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
Hi,
Car alarm draws current in stand-by all the time but not to a point of draining battery to dead. I'd start with checking all the cable connections. Sounds like loose cable somewhere. Two main battery cables and smaller wires for regulator signal, etc. When car is shut off, you can measure current draw from battery. If you don't have a multi meter handy, just put a 12V small bulb in series with positive battery cable. If it lights up bright, something is drawing too much current. If alarm is suspected, remove the fuse for the alarm and see if it makes difference. Or you have worn out brushes on the alternator. Tony 99 Z71 owner wrote: > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
Hi,
Car alarm draws current in stand-by all the time but not to a point of draining battery to dead. I'd start with checking all the cable connections. Sounds like loose cable somewhere. Two main battery cables and smaller wires for regulator signal, etc. When car is shut off, you can measure current draw from battery. If you don't have a multi meter handy, just put a 12V small bulb in series with positive battery cable. If it lights up bright, something is drawing too much current. If alarm is suspected, remove the fuse for the alarm and see if it makes difference. Or you have worn out brushes on the alternator. Tony 99 Z71 owner wrote: > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
Hi,
Car alarm draws current in stand-by all the time but not to a point of draining battery to dead. I'd start with checking all the cable connections. Sounds like loose cable somewhere. Two main battery cables and smaller wires for regulator signal, etc. When car is shut off, you can measure current draw from battery. If you don't have a multi meter handy, just put a 12V small bulb in series with positive battery cable. If it lights up bright, something is drawing too much current. If alarm is suspected, remove the fuse for the alarm and see if it makes difference. Or you have worn out brushes on the alternator. Tony 99 Z71 owner wrote: > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
Hi,
Car alarm draws current in stand-by all the time but not to a point of draining battery to dead. I'd start with checking all the cable connections. Sounds like loose cable somewhere. Two main battery cables and smaller wires for regulator signal, etc. When car is shut off, you can measure current draw from battery. If you don't have a multi meter handy, just put a 12V small bulb in series with positive battery cable. If it lights up bright, something is drawing too much current. If alarm is suspected, remove the fuse for the alarm and see if it makes difference. Or you have worn out brushes on the alternator. Tony 99 Z71 owner wrote: > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
99 Z71 owner wrote:
> > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian ----------------------- Brian, Too sleepy to offer a solution, but here's an important tip: Never disconnect the battery leads while the car is running. Too much expensive stuff to fry when the voltage soars. This point may even be mentioned in your owner's manual. 'Curly' ----------------------- |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
99 Z71 owner wrote:
> > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian ----------------------- Brian, Too sleepy to offer a solution, but here's an important tip: Never disconnect the battery leads while the car is running. Too much expensive stuff to fry when the voltage soars. This point may even be mentioned in your owner's manual. 'Curly' ----------------------- |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
99 Z71 owner wrote:
> > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian ----------------------- Brian, Too sleepy to offer a solution, but here's an important tip: Never disconnect the battery leads while the car is running. Too much expensive stuff to fry when the voltage soars. This point may even be mentioned in your owner's manual. 'Curly' ----------------------- |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
99 Z71 owner wrote:
> > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian ----------------------- Brian, Too sleepy to offer a solution, but here's an important tip: Never disconnect the battery leads while the car is running. Too much expensive stuff to fry when the voltage soars. This point may even be mentioned in your owner's manual. 'Curly' ----------------------- |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
You could have a bad ELD, which would keep the alternator from sensing the
electrical load properly. Have you had a problem with the batter not holding a char also? "99 Z71 owner" <Z71@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:yFGlb.151846$pl3.128070@pd7tw3no... > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
You could have a bad ELD, which would keep the alternator from sensing the
electrical load properly. Have you had a problem with the batter not holding a char also? "99 Z71 owner" <Z71@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:yFGlb.151846$pl3.128070@pd7tw3no... > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
You could have a bad ELD, which would keep the alternator from sensing the
electrical load properly. Have you had a problem with the batter not holding a char also? "99 Z71 owner" <Z71@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:yFGlb.151846$pl3.128070@pd7tw3no... > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
You could have a bad ELD, which would keep the alternator from sensing the
electrical load properly. Have you had a problem with the batter not holding a char also? "99 Z71 owner" <Z71@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:yFGlb.151846$pl3.128070@pd7tw3no... > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
Found the problem...
It was the 60 amp battery fuse in the fuse box, the previous owner must have been tinkering with it because it was very loose and the contacts bent to the point where the contact to the fuse was very sub par, Went to Honda, got a new fuse (new contacts included) and now works like a charm Thanks for all your help Brian "99 Z71 owner" <Z71@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:yFGlb.151846$pl3.128070@pd7tw3no... > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
Re: HELP, alternator problem
Found the problem...
It was the 60 amp battery fuse in the fuse box, the previous owner must have been tinkering with it because it was very loose and the contacts bent to the point where the contact to the fuse was very sub par, Went to Honda, got a new fuse (new contacts included) and now works like a charm Thanks for all your help Brian "99 Z71 owner" <Z71@shaw.ca> wrote in message news:yFGlb.151846$pl3.128070@pd7tw3no... > My Daughter has a 1990 Honda Civic with an intermittent charging problem (it > seems) > > Her car will be fine one minute, then she'll stop at a light, everything > will go dim and slow down like the engine was running on the battery and it > was dying, when she rev's it up, it all comes back to life, she was also > having trouble starting it occasionally, it turned over slowly and had to be > jump started a couple of times > > Thinking the alternator was toast, I brought it home, disconnected the > battery cables while the car was still running and the engine still ran ok > off the alternator > > She bought a brand new battery for it and all was ok for a couple of days, > then it started acting up again, everything dimming at a stop light until > she revved it up and then wouldn't start when she parked it. > > Is there more than just the alternator in there like a voltage regulator or > something that could be the problem > > One thing she had installed in the last few months is a car alarm, she had > it installed professionally but I think there could be a short somewhere in > there because when she is trying to jump start it, the alarm activates or > arms itself and goes off > > Any suggestions? > > Thanks for your help in advance > > Brian > > |
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