Rep Power: 0

I have a 2005 Civic DX 5 speed. I never had any problems with it until I was court ordered to have Intoxalock installed. All of this happened within 6 months. To start off my car decided it would crank periodically. I was told it needed a new starter so I got one. A few months later my battery light started flickering. Not solid, not flashing, but flickering. My headlights starting going bright and dim with every flicker of the batt light, my radio would not play, dash lights very dim, etc. Eventually my car broke down one day on the road I and was told the alternator was bad. Replaced the alternator then a couple weeks later I replaced the battery to be on the safe side. No issues with the batt or lights after that up until this past week. The batt light started flickering again. All of the symptoms it had before had come back. Last night as I was driving home the headlights no longer worked, radio stopped and I basically coasted into my driveway before the car completely died. Car won't start, batt is dead, I'm so frustrated. How can a brand new batt and alternator just completely stop working?? I've been reading a lot of stories from people who have Intoxalock and it messed up their cars so I feel like that may have something to do with it. I can't afford to keep replacing these parts just for them to last a couple of months. If anyone has any knowledge pertaining to Intoxalock or if anyone knows what is wrong with my car, please help me. Please, all comments and suggestions are welcome, I'm at a loss as what to do at this point.

 
Rep Power: 366

likely they messed up install?

 
Rep Power: 0

I've had it checked by a different service center than who installed it because they were butts. They said everything was installed properly.

 
Rep Power: 0

UPDATE: I jumped it this morning and it started no problem. Drove it around about 15 minutes with the battery light flickering again. Checked the charging system with a meter I got from Harbor Freight. It checks the regulator, battery, and alternator. All was okay. So, I'm scared to drive it far because it could slowly wear down like it did last night. I'm pretty much still stumped as to what is wrong with it.

 
Rep Power: 221

Aftermarket alternator?

 
Rep Power: 0

The alternator is from O'Reilly's, not sure what kind. A friend bought it and put it in. I've tested it twice so far and the alternator and battery are both fine. Drove it some more today, now the batt light comes on when I press the brake. It's solid then blinks 4 times. I'm beginning to think my car is possessed. I guess it could be a loose connection but I don't know which connections to check besides the obvious battery cables. Something is keeping the alternator from charging the battery is all I know. But I did drive several places today and had no problems with it starting. But I figure if I were to drive it more than an hour then it would end up dying one again. Idk.

 
Rep Power: 221

These cars don't like aftermarket electronics especially alternators, we get posts weekly of people having issues with them

 
Rep Power: 0

That's interesting. I'll remember that when or if I need another one. For now I have determined that when the batt light starts flickering more than usual, I just need to pull over and idle for a while. The alt does it's job when the light isn't on and it doesn't come on when idling. I just hate to spend any more money just in case it is the intoxalock making everything malfunction. I'm stuck with that stupid thing for another 6 months 😒. I think I read something about getting a used alternator because the one I would need will be very expensive. How can I tell if one I get from a pull-a-part is aftermarket or not? Also, if I keep driving like I've been, will it ruin my new battery?

 
Rep Power: 366

car-part.com for nearby scrapyards.
also, get one of these portable car chargers:

use multi meter to find parasitic draws in the car (turn car off and find if something is drawing power)

 
Rep Power: 221

Driving with a bad alternator can ruin a new battery. Oe alternator is Mitsubishi.

 
Rep Power: 0

Update. Alternator finally bit the dust. Replaced it with a reman from AutoZone. I know, bad idea. It's the only one they had, not sure what brand but it has a lifetime warranty. Anyhow, it's been driving fine, no battery light. I have another question. I've been driving my car for a couple years after having bypassed the compressor because it locked up and I haven't had the money to replace it. Will doing that cause extra wear on the alternator (or anything else) since the compressor pulley isn't being used?

 
Rep Power: 366

not going to impact