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Hi, I'm new on your forum because I just bought my 97 Civic LX (at least I'm pretty sure it's an LX... could be a DX, but does it matter?)---
I have 3 things that are bothering me:

1. The battery/alternator light is on and I don't know why. I suspect it's something grounding out, but that's vague. I pulled the positive terminal off with the car running (to test the alternator) and it stays running. Any ideas? The battery doesn't seem to be getting weaker, but the light bugs me... any ideas?

2. Sometimes after driving about 15 miles I come to a stop light and have to wait, then when I begin accelerating the car hesitates as if it is not getting gas. It seems like I don't have throttle until the pedal is pushed more than half-way. Then with the pedal pushed so far, it wants to give it too much gas and I end up clutch-riding to get through the intersection...I have learned that by turning the engine off then on again immediately, the problem goes away. This makes me think "electrical? TPS dead-spot? and why now, why not always?".... any ideas?

3. I live in Hawaii where it is relatively warm. When I start the car in the morning it idles super low. When warm, the idle is fine. Today it died out when I started it, and I had to put my foot on the gas pedal to start it and keep it running (until it warmed up). I didn't think I should have to step on the pedal to get it started (its not a carburetor, it's EFI- so WTF? So this makes me think "cold-start injectors? or is all of this just one big electrical cluster-f*ck?"

I know there's a lot of you with some real experience that could help me learn my new car and any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Thanks, Taz

 
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1. battery light means there is a problem with the charging system, usually the alternator gone bad (has nothing to do with the battery at all). in the future, never pull the battery terminal off with the car running. the battery stabilizes and filters the alternator voltage. you can cause serious damage to electrical components, esp if the alternator isnt working properly.

2. is the engine light on?

3. prolly a clogged idle air valve or other intake system part. might just need a cleaning and a good tuneup.

i would have the charging system checked. most auto store will do it for free. you can use a voltmeter to check the battery voltage when the car is off and on, that will tell you something but not everything. you could have an alternator thats undercharging (but not completely dead) or also overcharging (which will cause the battery to leak and other serious problems).

 
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There is no check engine light on, what else could it be???