Charging system problem

progressprogress Wagonist
in Electronics, Fueling & Air Conditioning
ugh...
i got the warranty replacement, put it in, boosted it up with my bro's civic for about 5 minutes. turned key, brrrrroooom. ran great, then died half way down the street. One by one the electronics go out, first tach, then radio, dash lights, headlights then car turns off.

i replaced the battery connectors

same thing.

must be battery now right?

The above quote came from a thread that quarters posted in in regards to problems he was having with his alternator a loooong time ago. I'm posting my problem in hopes of getting more responses.

I'm having the exact same issues as quarters was. Just as I finally get the correct CV axle, this problem occurs. Geez!

First I lose my tach, then the radio cuts in and out, dash lights dim and then engine starts to lose power until it dies. I had to get towed home yesterday because of this!

After I get home, i boost the dead battery with the wife's minivan. Almost immediately my wagon dies after removing the cables. I then rip out the battery from my dad's 94 Accord and swap it out with the wagon one. Bam. Instant start! Seems to have lots of power. I take it out for a spin and happily do donuts in an empty lot. Problem solved. (Or so I think)

This morning, my dad gets stuck in the snow as he is leaving for work. The roads around our house haven't been plowed yet. I am able to pull him somewhat free and then one by one I lose the tach, radio, dash lights etc. Bring it home and since my dad is already late for work, we got to town trying to figure out the problem. In the end it seems like the alternator got fried at the top connector (the one with the rubber cover) and is intermittently charging and not charging the battery.

Does this sound like a logical explanation for the problem(s) I'm experiencing? And if not, then what else could it be? We're going to swap out alternators tonight as my dad has one lined up already. Anything else we should look at?

Sorry for the long posts but I tend to get carried away when I'm writing! Thanks in advance!

Comments

  • ThinkFabThinkFab Wagonist
    its the alternator for sure. i have the same problem with my Z, and my buddy did with his civic to.
  • modelEE89civicwagonmodelEE89civicwagon Band Wagon
    yeah its the alternator, if you have a multimeter check the battery it shoud be around twelve and if you turn on you car and let it idle it shoudbe 14 to 16
    volts if not its your altanator
  • progressprogress Wagonist
    Thanks for the replies guys. We were pretty sure it was the alt. Now we get to have fun taking the damn thing out. i think the easiest way for an RT4WD is up ya?
  • ThinkFabThinkFab Wagonist
    take it out the bottom. you have to take the oil filter off and may have to take the drivers side axle out, but it will be the easiest.
  • quartersquarters Council Member
    pulled mine out the top, it is a very tight fit.


    my problem ended up not even being the alternator but the little ring fitting that goes onto the alternator. after changing absolutely everything, i changed that fitting and everything worked great.

    good luck.
  • progressprogress Wagonist
    A little late in posting but I finally got my wagon back on the road. I ended up pulling the axle and going that way as it looked way too tight to pull the alt. up. Thanks for everyone's help!
  • quartersquarters Council Member
    good show.
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