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I have a 96 civic coupe 1.6 single cam...recently everything on my car pulsates pretty much...the lights dim in and out really quickly and when it gets real bad the tachometer just goes crazy. I changed out the alternator, the alternator belt, and put in a brand new battery all at the same time...and i'm still having the problem. When i shut the car off..it won't start again...i have to jump it. The battery just won't stay charged...and it's not the alternator because i just put a new one with the belt. Any ideas? I'm stuckk

 
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Well, your user info doesn't say where you live. If you live near Advance Auto Parts they will test your battery, starter and alternator on the car...free. Try that first to see if your battery is toast.

If you don't, find a shop with a load tester for the battery.

Now, the above is assuming you've got clean and tight terminals on the battery.

 
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An open in the #15 fuse circuit will cause this. Do you get a DTC (diagnostic trouble code stored) P1298? I had the same problem on my 97 Dx. Turned out to be the Electrical load detector, (ELD). On mine it also tipped codes for the O2 sensors before and after the CAT, VSS. I made the mistake of taking it to two mechanics and paid them to replace all those and a new battery; even the ECM but they couldn't fix it. The last guy said, "first time a car ever beat me!"

The troubleshooting procedure for the ELD is on page 11-181 in the Honda repair manual. The ELD 3pin connector part cost $25 (used), a 7.5A fuse $1. A DIY guy's success besting two certified mechanics . . . priceless!

 
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Nice one Dex! Great call there. I've never dealt with an ELD issue. Kudo's for using the Helms factory service manual too. They can be a life saver and will pay for themselves the first time you use one.

 
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I downloaded the 1996-00CivicRepairManual in PDF for free back in Feb 08 but now I can't find the link. I tried to cut-n-paste the ELD troubleshooting page 11-181 into the reply to mexican36 but I couldn't figure out how others have done it.
Anyone know how to paste PDF pages into this forum?

 
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Do you have Adobe Acrobat? You could always just do screenshots of the files (press Alt and the Print Screen button at the same time) Or you can always add the pdf's as an attachment to your reply.

Also, I am in need of these manuals, so the sooner the better It would be a great help because I am having a similar issue and am wondering if it's the same issue. Any idea if this could cause the turn signals not to work as well?

 
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http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/civic/x99-029e.pdf

BAM! This sht helped me tons. My lights were always Dim, tach would do it's own thing, turn signals quit working, radio would shut off, spent 14 hours tracing down wires looking for a short and then I found this little instruction pdf from honda! woot woooot

 
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I had a very similar issue...96 Civic...Lights Pulsating High/Low...Speedometer freaks out...Radio Freaked...Changing Alternator DID NOT FIX IT...issue WAS THE WIRING HARNESS wrapped around manifold...the pdf posted by cschneider27 WAS THE SOLUTION...thnx chief!!

http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/civic/x99-029e.pdf

I joined this forum just to post that because it was a huge help.

My car did start but ran like dookey.

 
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Is there a place where you cna find all of those honda bulletins?

 
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My '96 DX did similar things with many misleading error codes. The fix was as mentioned here and in the service bulletin and not the ELD for one. Here's a link I found elsewhere on this forum with some good pics of the problem and how to fix it free except for some tape and a fuse: http://www.sparkys-answers.com/2009/...use-blown.html The fuse doesn't always blow so you can reset the ECM which might turn off the CEL temporarily. I urge all '96-'00 DIY owners to do this simple fix and possibly save yourself the headaches and expense I went thru.

 
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i got a 96 coupe nothing electrcal is working i used an ohm meter to check the battery it and all fuses under the hood and they all read 12.** but the fuse in the car evry things reads zero i have no idea what it could be bcuz i figure my interior light a nd my hazards should still work soo idk