Hi All!

Just want to say, LOVE this forum!

Our LX sedan has been showing strange symptoms for a while now and I'm at my whits end trying to figure it out. After many searches I've decided to ask the smart people out there! First of all, I can rule out the following bulletin, since ours is 7th gen, right? http://www.tegger.com/hondafaq/tsb/civic/x99-029e.pdf Also, I've had the battery, alt tested at a local shop. All checked out.

So, this doesn't happen all the time, but often the car will buck as if it's going to loose power at any moment, any speed. Only seems to happen when the headlights are ON. All cluster lights flicker and pulsate, including the headlights. I was driving on the interstate and counted 3-4 pulses per second.
We have stock everything, except for an auxiliary line we had put in.

Any suggestions, guys?

Thanks,
85711

#1) Make SURE all of the alternator mounting bolts are tight. NOW!

Here's a copy of Hondas bulletin on loose alternator bolts

http://www.underhoodservice.com/issu...ontentid=88560





#2) Check ground cables, battery/body/trans and engine. Clean and tight connections.

After checking to make sure all alternator bolts were tight, as well as the grounds/connectors, I decided to remove the alternator for further testing, etc. As I was removing the alt and disconnecting the electrical harness/cable, the 10mm bolt sheared off as I was trying to unscrew it. So, it looks like a new alternator is in my future, unless there's something I can do to get that bolt out? See pic: Just kidding - I can't figure that feature out..

Thank you

A local rebuilder might be able to replace the stud. (I THINK the alt must be split apart to do it.)

If the alt is bad, who cares? LOL. replace it

If the alt. bolts were already properly tightened, I would have told you to use a voltmeter and monitor system voltage as you drive the car.

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You can load your pics to a hosting site like tinypic or imigur, then use the icon above your text box, and insert the link in the popup.
Or just put the links here so we can click on them.
HTH

Of course, once the new alternator is put in AND I have the same problems as before?!

Then it's time to diagnose!

Hi,
I found a great local alternator store where I am and had my alternator rebuilt. I put everything back together and went to start the car and it wouldn't. It seemed like it wanted to turn over but just never did. Can anyone advise on this?
Thank you

Up at the top, you said you have a 7th gen but never told what the car is, specifically. What is it?



So it spins and spins, never tries to fire?
Or did it try to fire?


In order to run, any engine must have compression, spark, and fuel.
In the correct amounts, at the correct times. What ain't right?

Got any codes in the computer?
Are the plugs wet or dry?

Hi:
It's a 2004 LX 1.7 with 14x,xxx miles

I spins and spins, and I thought it was just about to fire, but never caught. I prolly cranked it for a good 15 seconds, but it felt like forever. I didn't want to do any damage so I quit.

Unable to test for codes, unfortunately.
Plugs are dry. I did get in to the sparks to make sure they were tight, so I'm hoping I didn't inadvertently screw something up.

85711

Update: Took battery in and had it tested and it checked out great.

Also, I forgot to mention that I did check fust #4 under dash (Alt.)

You can crank it for 15 seconds at a time.... But stop and let the starter cool off for a few minutes between rounds so you don't ruin it.
Put a battery charger on it too, eventually you can run the battery dead if you don't.

Try holding the gas pedal to the floor while you crank it.

You may as well check every last fuse in the car.

Check #1) Does it have spark?
Check #2) Does it have fuel: Does the pump run? Do the injectors pulse?

I looked over my work and tightened up the electrical connection to the alternator. Made sure all connectors were clean/tight/fastened as well as grounds. I also slightly loosened the power steering belt for fear that I had it over-tightened. After all that I put the battery back in and had my wife start the car. It was cranking, again, for a long time and seemed at one point to want to start until I had her stop so as to not damage the starter. A couple of mins later she tried again and I'll be damned if it finally turned over and started! I'm scared to turn it off.

Why does it crank so long before it starts?

Thanks again for your help.

I'll guess it was under a 1/4 tank of fuel. Or it was flooded. Or slow cranking RPM from weakened battery. Or any number of other things.
I can sit in my recliner and guess all day if you want.






It's only done this once so far?

Don't sweat it unless it becomes a regular occurrence.

Get it out and drive it all the way to operating temperature before you shut it off.

I ran it around the neighborhood and my previous problems from the old alt seem to be gone now. Returned home and cut it off to see if it would start any better. It started normally. I am relieved and happy. Now for the timing belt..