costellol

Hello, I just purchased a 2001 Civic EX 2 door for my son. I am going over all parts of the car getting it ready for him but I am having one repeated problem with the headlight bulbs. Here it is: I start the car then in an attempt to check the alternator I disconnect the negative on the battery and turn on the headlights and the heater blower motor full blast. After about 10-15 seconds the lights start to flicker and the low beams quit working and the heater stops blowing. I then hit the high beams and they work for a couple minutes and they stop working.
At this point the headlight bulbs have blown out. So I get new headlight bulbs and after I install them all works as intended.
I am on my second set of headlight bulbs which is getting pricey.
Shouldn't the electrical system (alternator) be able to handle all this load? I'm at a loss as to why the bulbs blow out, low beams then the high beams.
The alternator light doesn't flash but I suspect it could be weak.
Any of you pro's got an idea what could be going on?
Any help would be appreciated.....

costellol

I stepped away and checked the output voltage via the battery and both of my fluke meters read between 17.8 to 18.1V. I also loaded the system the best I could so I now suspect the alternator excessive output voltage is what is blowing my headlight bulbs but only when I load the system. The ELD is new.

ezone

NEVER DISCONNECT THE BATTERY OF A RUNNING CAR!!!!!!


Next things to be smoked will be any of the computers in the car. $$$$.$$


There are proper ways to test an alternator, this was not one of them. This ain't the 60's anymore.

bsmiley

It'd be free and easy to take it to your local auto parts store and have them test the battery and alternator.