Rep Power: 0

I just recently bought an 01 civic ex. The owner said he got a code for cam position sensor and that was it .it ran fine for a couple of days with no issues. One day I was driving a long distance and I heard a metal on metal noice and after awhile it stopped. So when I got out and decided to see if I could see what the noice was I realized my ac clutch was grinding and had fallen off but the belt seemed fine at the time. When I got back I stopped for gas and turned the car off. When I went to start back up all the lights come on and it’ll turn over but no start. Then I jumped it and made it home. Discovered the recently “replaced alt “ was wobbly and the belt actually was quite loose so I bypassed the compressor using a DX belt and new battery and it ran fine and the engine check light actually went off. Then the next day started and drove fine . Stopped and started about three times and on the fourth time the same thing happened again. the belt was fine and alternator had no play. Had my old lady give me a jump and started right up and drive perfect for about 10-15 min then I see all my gauges just drop and abs light comes an the car won’t let me accelerate very fast(assuming it went into limp mode) but I got it home and Not sure we’re to start

 
Rep Power: 222

Alternator may be bad, bolts need to be tight or it will fry the ecu. This may have already happened

 
Rep Power: 0

I do remember the bolt on top of the alternator did not want to tighten down all the way but when I try to move the alt it didn’t move one bit so I left it... I figured it was solid so it would have a good ground, I’m assuming that’s were I messed up?

 
Rep Power: 99

Are you saying the top bolt sticks out a little from the end of the bracket?

The alternator shouldn't fit tightly inside the bracket until that top bolt is tightened down. There are split collars/bushings inside the holes of the bracket and the alternator. When the top bolt is tightened it will squeeze the bushings together so they are touching. I think that's what makes the good ground connection.

It's possible when it was installed the collars weren't moved out of the way and the alternator was forced inside the bracket. That's the problem we had first time we did it. And then the top bolt would not line up with the threads on the other side...but it was still tight. This is no good.

The collars/bushings should be moved out of the way with the side of a hammer. Then the alternator will fit inside the bracket easily and the bolt can be lined up no problem. Then when you tighten down the bolt it will squeeze the collars/bushings together.

 
Rep Power: 0

No I couldn’t see the end of the bolt, even after ratcheting it down all the way flush it kept turning easil with no resistance it seemed, but I had tightened the adjustment bolt below the alt to tighten belt up and after I did that I realized the alt was now sitting firm with no movement so I figured it would be good, an do recall seeing a gap with what looked like a bushing , so I’m assuming I should not be able to see the bushing if the alt was installed correctly? And may be why my battery is always getting drained? But if that was the problem wouldn’t the car not be able to run after being jumped or does me jumping it happen to give the battery enough juice to get me home?(each time it’s happened I’ve been no more than 15-20 min away from home)
I also happened to notice that a green key light is flashing while I’m driving and I don’t remember it doing that before(I noticed when I realized the check engine light was no longer on)

 
Rep Power: 224

Sounds like the top bolt/bracket is stripped.

What about the bottom bolts? There are two on the bottom mounting bracket that need to be tight. These would be tightened after the wingnut.

 
Rep Power: 0

Seems about right. And yes the wing it and and adjustment bolt are tight(only reason alt actually stays in place