Rep Power: 0

I have a 89 civic 4door station wagon. The battery was dead. I jumped the car but it would not run if I removed the jumper cables. The voltage at the main lug on the altenator was the same as the voltage of the battery, which was below 12 volts. I aquired a used altenator from a junkyard and installed it. I can charge the battery using jumper cables and get it up to 12.5 volts but when I remove the cables I do not see 13-14 volts coming from the altenator. The voltage at the battery and main lug of the altenator are the same, normally 12 volts or less and if I monitor the voltage with a meter I see the voltage steadally decrease to about 5 volts in about 3 minutes, at which time the car dies. I did find the two wires that connect to the right headlight had shorted out and burned, but I repaired this before the sympoms I have outlined. I haven't found any blown fuses and all lights and switches are off. I am wondering if the is a voltage regulator somewhere that may be bad or if the regulator is part of the altenator and also if it is normal to have that fast of a drain on the battery when everything appears to be off?

 
Rep Power: 811

something is wrong with the wiring, maybe its shorting out somewhere. does the battery or wires get hotter than normal? could also be a bad relay.

 
Rep Power: 0

When we start our 1989 Honda Civic awd wagon warm, there is a strong odor of gasoline in the cabin. In a few minutes, it is gone. The odor does not appear when first starting the car cold. What could be the problem?

 
Rep Power: 811

possibly a slightly leaky fuel pump or filter.