04 Civic weird problem
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04 Civic weird problem
Ok, my car is a 2004 Vp automatic. So driving back from Las Vegas my car started acting up really weird. First my radio shut off and restarted like I just started the car. Next my dash gauges all went to zero like I turned off the car but I was able to still drive the car some what. The car would drive in current gear but wouldn't down shift. Also my headlights started to get dimmer and dimmer until they turned off. After pulling off the road I disconnected the terminals and let it sit for a few minutes. After flagging someone down to get a jump, the car drove fine for a bit until all this started all over again. I was able to get a new battery installed and it started up fine. Had the alternator checked and it was good. After all this the car drove fine for about 5hrs, then it started all over again. This time I was getting very frustrated with the car I put it in neutral and the gauges came back on like nothing happened. The car would drive for a bit and do it again. I kept doing the neutral thing for the next 90 miles. All this seemed to only happen when I was over 55mph on the highway or interstate. Once I got in town and was doing under 45, I didn't have a problem. Anyone else ever have a problem like this? What should I check? Any help is greatly appreciated!
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Re: 04 Civic weird problem
Did someone forget to tighten all of the alternator mounting bolts, or not get them tight enough?
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The alternator was replaced 3 years ago and the car has been fine since until this trip. Any other ideas? It just seems weird that the car would do this and then get fine when put in neutral.
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The alternator was replaced 3 years ago and the car has been fine since until this trip.
When was the last timing belt service? The alternator has to be removed to do that job, someone forgetting to tighten ALL of the bolts can cause really expensive problems.
Any other ideas? It just seems weird that the car would do this and then get fine when put in neutral.
You could drive around with a voltmeter connected and watch what system voltage is doing when it acts up.
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So...you didn't bother to re-check the alternator mounting bolts. When was the last timing belt service? The alternator has to be removed to do that job, someone forgetting to tighten ALL of the bolts can cause really expensive problems. Time for another alternator?
You could drive around with a voltmeter connected and watch what system voltage is doing when it acts up.
You could drive around with a voltmeter connected and watch what system voltage is doing when it acts up.
To add to what Ezone suggested..check/clean and tighten all engine and chassis grounds.
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Ezone..can failing/weak diodes in an alternator cause intermittent issues?
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Timing belt was changed when the alternator was replaced. I first thought it was the alternator but the gauges and everything is fine when the car is put in neutral while driving. I might check all the grounds. Where are all of them located?
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I first thought it was the alternator but the gauges and everything
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New belt? Have you tightened the belt since changing it? They tend to stretch and need to be tightened after a bit. Also check and make sure everything is tightened down and as stated above get readings off of the alternator.
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