I.C.E. (Audio) & Electrical Upgrades Post all your I.C.E. (In Car Entertainment) and wiring questions here (Audio, video etc.)

Is the alternator going bad?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 9, 2018
  #1  
EX01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
Rep Power: 0
EX01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Is the alternator going bad?

I have a 2001 Civic ex with the original alternator. Recently I've had some problems starting up, the headlights dim when pressing the gas, the dash cluster lights flicker when I'm using the turn signal, and my Kenwood stereo shut off and came back on 3 times with the last few days. Is the alternator on it's way out? If so I'm changing it today but need to be sure. I've also recently changed the MCU last week
Reply
Old Sep 9, 2018
  #2  
Slumpertcivic's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 15
Rep Power: 119
Slumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to all
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

Very possible it’s starting to go out but before you pull the handle and “Spin the Parts Slot Machine”.

Did you try unplugging the control plug and testing voltages?

Remove it, sand mounting surfaces back to shiny metal on the engine and alternator and reinstall?



Reply
Old Sep 12, 2018
  #3  
EX01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
Rep Power: 0
EX01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

I did end up replacing it as it was due for a new one either way. At first I thought the problems were fixed but then I noticed when I would brake I'd get a small rough idle which has gone away now. But the headlights, dome lights and dash cluster have a flicker just like before except not as bad. Could the problem be my grounds? Where should I begin checking? Everything was fine a few weeks ago
Reply
Old Sep 12, 2018
  #4  
drhawkinz's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 380
Likes: 3
From: Raleigh, NC
Rep Power: 155
drhawkinz has a spectacular aura aboutdrhawkinz has a spectacular aura about
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

You can rough up where the alternator bolts down so it's fresh metal to make a good connection. You can also do the same for the ground from the battery to the chassis and from the water housing to chassis.

You can also check the tension on the alternator belt. I don't have a tension tester but I normally try to get it tight enough so that the belt will just turn upright (90 degrees) when compared to laying flat.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2018
  #5  
EX01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
Rep Power: 0
EX01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

Now that you mention it, one of the bolts was turning continuoslco and wouldn't tighten except at a certain point. The belt is tight completely there's no play whatsoever. Today my stereo restarted 4 times and every time it happened the ABS light would come on for a few seconds then come off. II shu off the stereo completely for the rest of my drive but the ABS light kept going. It's so hard to pinpoint what the problem could be
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2018
  #6  
Colin42's Avatar
"Marge, anyone could miss Canada! All tucked away down there."
 
Joined: Feb 2016
Posts: 9,637
Likes: 1,283
From: Barrie, ON Canada
Rep Power: 222
Colin42 is a name known to allColin42 is a name known to allColin42 is a name known to allColin42 is a name known to allColin42 is a name known to allColin42 is a name known to allColin42 is a name known to all
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

you will fry the pcm if you continue to drive the car like that.
you need to fix that so all the bolts tighten properly
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2018
  #7  
EX01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
Rep Power: 0
EX01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

Originally Posted by Colin42
you will fry the pcm if you continue to drive the car like that.
you need to fix that so all the bolts tighten properly
I'll check it ASAP and tighten it. If it isn't the bolt, what else could ti be?
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2018
  #8  
Slumpertcivic's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Oct 2017
Posts: 1,268
Likes: 15
Rep Power: 119
Slumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to allSlumpertcivic is a name known to all
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

Originally Posted by EX01
I'll check it ASAP and tighten it. If it isn't the bolt, what else could ti be?
You speak as if it’s one bolt when infact its two mounting bolts and a adjusting wingnut. The wingnut is almost irrelevant, the other two bolts are critical for grounding the alternator.
Reply
Old Sep 16, 2018
  #9  
EX01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
Rep Power: 0
EX01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

I've checked both bolts on the alternator and they're all tight. The belt is tight, alternator is new and battery is a few months old. I read it somewhere it could be the ELD but ill keep looking around. The big 3 grounds are all tight and make good contact.
Reply
Old Sep 20, 2018
  #10  
EX01's Avatar
Thread Starter
Registered!!
 
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 54
Likes: 3
Rep Power: 0
EX01 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

UPDATE

I looked over everything again and again, made sure it was all tight and started it up a few days ago. Everything seems to work fine now. I can't exactly pinpoint what it was but the problem is gone
Reply
Old Oct 7, 2018
  #11  
JRoc1 360's Avatar
Registered!!
 
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Rep Power: 0
JRoc1 360 is an unknown quantity at this point
Re: Is the alternator going bad?

Figure this issue out?
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Honda Civic Forum
Replies
Last Post
98civicnightmar
Mechanical Problems/Vehicle Issues and Fix-it Forum
1
Dec 11, 2011 12:30 AM
Rupert
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
2
Dec 1, 2011 05:15 AM
treva..
7th Generation Civic 2001 - 2005
6
Oct 19, 2008 12:32 PM
gameboi499
Fuel, Oil, Cleaners & Other Maintenance
4
Sep 29, 2007 09:08 PM
gearbox
General Honda Civic Forum Archive.
9
Aug 8, 2004 10:35 PM




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:29 PM.