Rep Power: 0

Hello all. New user here and I cant figure a better place to ask. Preemptive warning, I know very little about cars. This post is rather long, because I tried to list every possible detail.

My civic was bought used, from a kid who claimed to have replaced everything new and taken really good care of the '96 civic.

Recently, it started making a sound similar to an RC car, what I assume a belt problem to sound like, especially with RPMs over 2,000 (which is really low to be having problems). I knew I needed to take it in, but never got around to it. Now, a week later the sound got worse. To add on I was stopped at a train track, and when I slowed down after driving for 30 minutes, my car started to vibrate violently and make a loud bass noise. It then flashed the battery indicator as it died. It started right back up, but roughly. On the way home, it almost died every time I accelerated, changed from drive to reverse, or stopped.

Now when it turned off originally I had my after-market system on, but not too high. I usually have the volume at 35, but it was only at 25 then. Also, my sub is a measly 200-watt.

I have noticed my overhead light not turning on immediately when opening my door, and my system does have to be turned up at times because it will get lower volumes for no reason.

At any rate, my current speculation is the alternator or battery or a belt somewhere. Possibly a combination of all. What do you think?

 
Rep Power: 518

Belt slippage, is the alternator drive belt loose? Inspect for wear and damage, tighten or replace?

Have the alternator tested?