Rep Power: 0

Good evening everyone.

My 2004 Civic is having alternator issues. I originally had an issue with the original alternator overcharging so I went ahead and replaced it. After the replacement was installed I quickly checked the voltage on the battery with it running to make sure everything was working properly. It had 14v while running, so all was good and off I went to return my core. On the way back home I noticed my wipers were running quite slowly, and sure enough within a few minutes the lights started to dim and I just barely made it home on battery voltage. Pulled it into the garage, and noticed the 10mm bolt was loose, so I tightened it and figured that'd solve my issue. Wrong. I haven't been able to get it charging since I got home and I'd like to confirm a couple things and hopefully some of you gurus out there can lead me through a bit of a diagnosis.

SO: before going ahead and ripping out the old alternator (which is a pain because my truck needs a turbo right now so that's out of commission) and getting it tested I'd like to confirm everything on the car is working as it should as it is an absolute beater and things are rednecked together at best lol.

• I have battery voltage at the 10mm terminal on the alternator. But it is not charging, just stays at the current battery voltage (11.8)
• My battery light does not come on, even when I just turn the key to the 'on' position. It did, however flicker a bit on the way home, but now I can't get it to illuminate at all. (Unless I ground I believe terminal 3 on the 4 prong connector on the alternator)
• The 10A labeled alternator fuse is good, and I've replaced it with a known good to be sure.
• All other fuses on the vehicle are good, checked all.

Is there specific grounds I should check while I'm at it or wires? Or even a diagram on what I should have at the plug to confirm all connections are good?

Can't think of anything else off hand, I'd love some help. Thanks all.

 
Rep Power: 221

I'm going to guess that you got a cheap parts store alternator and not an OEM one.
These cars are picky when it comes to electronics.
Get one from a junkyard if you don't want to buy a new OEM one

 
Rep Power: 221

And make sure all the mounting bolts are tight

 
Rep Power: 0

You'd be correct in that assumption. I ran to the nearest parts store and got one of the remans. I'll check over the bolts, but I'm fairly certain I have them all tight.

 
Rep Power: 221

Check the junkyard

 
Rep Power: 98

A used OEM alternator isn't a bad idea, but a parts store alternator may be okay. The issue is the reman alternators. When I bought one, it worked fine for about three months and then my battery light started to flicker.

Replace it with a NEW alternator instead of a reman. I installed a NEW Remy alternator (from RockAuto), and it's been working well for nearly two years.

NOTE: New OEM alternators for the 7th gen Civics are over $800 online last I checked. I doubt anyone with a 17+ year old car would ever pay that, so definitely go used if it's OEM.