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weird problems with car charge
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Pyrcide
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Sep 24, 2011, 11:12 AM
Post #1 of 23
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weird problems with car charge
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1994 Honda Civic EX
4 cyl
178,000
Battery light came on a few weeks ago. I let a friend borrow the car and it ended up being dead and needed a jump. I rarely drive the vehicle, but I have since and have had no problems with starting it or what not. After looking at the battery the positive post was loose and wanted to come out with the terminal when trying to remove the clamp. I just replace the battery, hoping the bad post was the problem. Charging light in dashboard is still on. I have a Black and Decker smart charger which reads volts and has an alternater check function. When the car is running it reads 12.1 volts, turn the lights on it reads 11.9, turn the lights off and it idles very erratically back to 12.1 volts, yet idles fine with lights on at 11.9. The alternator check function comes up with a fault light everytime. My question is why does the car seem to run better with the lights on at lower voltage and idle erratically when I shut them off. I know it should be reading 14+ volts, I'm yet to rule out the alternater though, with these weird symptoms, any ideas?
(This post was edited by Pyrcide on Sep 24, 2011, 11:45 AM)
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Pyrcide
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Sep 24, 2011, 11:44 AM
Post #2 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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sorry it is a Vtec engine, and the car reads 12.4 battery volts when not running
(This post was edited by Pyrcide on Sep 24, 2011, 11:44 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky
/ Moderator
Sep 24, 2011, 11:44 AM
Post #3 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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With the age and miles you really need to check all wiring connections, belt tension and free at many parts outlets to test the alternator and know the battery is good. 12.1 if accurate to the point is close but 12.2 after a wait of charging is more normal.
A quick look showed voltage regulator was more expensive on this than a reman alternator
I don't make the rules so I wouldn't take the thing apart for more money as regulator is inside. Check all fuses and connections and look for any fusible links that have blown. Not sure if Honda did that.
In short, have it bench tested suggested in nothing else found,
T
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Pyrcide
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Sep 24, 2011, 11:50 AM
Post #4 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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Yes it is an old car with some time on it. Appreciate the advice, but if it was the alternater, would the battery read more volts when I shut it off, that means it's getting a charge, right? Yes I've read about the voltage regulators.... my other car is a domestic, I'm not use to working on foreign cars, nor at all familiar with them. I'll do some more digging and see what I can find, thanks again
(This post was edited by Pyrcide on Sep 24, 2011, 11:52 AM)
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Tom Greenleaf
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Sep 24, 2011, 12:38 PM
Post #5 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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"Would battery read more volts when shut off?"
Yes if - not run down as it' s not using power for fuel pump or other items when just shut down if alternator isn't helping at all which it is not by your #s,
T
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Pyrcide
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Oct 22, 2011, 4:08 PM
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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Ok, so Ive got every bolt off the alternator... I actually think it was missing one... Ive got it to the point to where it swivels on the lower bracket, and probly just needs pounded out. I dont see how I can pull up from the top, or drop it from the bottom to remove it. I really don't want to, and don't even think I can remove the lower bracket without gringing down my brand new set of wrenches. Anyone know if its possible to get this alt out with the lower bracket still in place? Thanks for the help
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Hammer Time
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Oct 22, 2011, 5:51 PM
Post #7 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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Many of those Hondas you have to remove the axle to get it out.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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re-tired
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Oct 22, 2011, 6:00 PM
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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 If memory is correct (50 /50) lately you can remove top bracket and wiggle it out the top ..
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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Pyrcide
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Oct 22, 2011, 7:52 PM
Post #9 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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The diagram is helpfull, and yeas the axle is in the way. I thought it just needed beat out of the bracket, I was wrong. I can't get it to move a millimeter out of the bracket. It swivels rather easy forward and back, but will not budge out of the bracket, and yes the trough bolt is out. Am I missing something other than brute force?
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Hammer Time
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Oct 23, 2011, 6:09 AM
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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If you're sure you have the bolt removed, there is a sliding bushing that tightens against the alternator. You caneither slip a bar behind it and push it out or rock the alternator side to side, (opposite of the direction it swivels).
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Pyrcide
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Oct 23, 2011, 2:58 PM
Post #11 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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Yes the bolt is removed, the alternator basically should be floating in mid air. How big is this bushing? And does it go the length of the alternator, or just near where the through bolt comes out. I just went back out to the garage to try what you said, It does not rock side to side whatsoever, nor can I budge what appears to be a metal sleeve that the through bolt goes through. I'm missing something or just not seeing it...
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Hammer Time
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Oct 23, 2011, 3:02 PM
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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The bushing is pressed in and when the bolt is tightened, it pushes tightly against the alternator and has to be pushed back away to loosen the alternator. It's pinched into the bracket tightly.
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Pyrcide
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Oct 23, 2011, 3:08 PM
Post #13 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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Ok so does the bushing actually go into the alternator? The only thing I see Is a metal sleeve looking deal about 1 1/2 inches long that appears to go through the alt and through the bracket, other than that, there is nothing.
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Hammer Time
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Oct 23, 2011, 3:13 PM
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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It can go through either one but not both. Some are on the alternator and some go through the bracket.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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re-tired
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Oct 24, 2011, 11:35 AM
Post #15 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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 PLACE A PRYBAR OR LARGE SCREWDRIVER BETWEEN ALT MOUNTING TAB AND BRACKET AND WIGGLE BACK AND FORTH
LIFE'S SHORT GO FISH
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Pyrcide
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Oct 24, 2011, 2:21 PM
Post #16 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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I got the blasted thing out, used a screw driver and hammer. Pulled it up from the top by removing power steering hose. Thanks for all the help, I just ordered a new alt online (way cheaper than any parts stores around here), I'll let you guys know how the installation went and if it fixed my charging problem. Thanks again for the help.
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Oct 24, 2011, 3:01 PM
Post #17 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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Tap that bushing a little further in with a drift punch so the alternator will drop back in easily.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Pyrcide
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Nov 2, 2011, 4:01 PM
Post #18 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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Well Hammer Time your already ahead of the game. I got my new alt today, can't get the blasted thing in because of that bushing. I even tried grinding it down just a little with my dremmel, using grease on both sides, and tapping it back a little. The bushing wont budge and now neither will the new alternating I have wedged into the bracket not aligned proplerly. I had to give up tonight, my arms feel like jello from wiggling that thing back and forth and trying to pound it into place, any other ideas thanks...
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Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky
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Nov 2, 2011, 4:05 PM
Post #19 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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That bushing is not that tight. A drift punch and a hammer will push it back easily.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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Pyrcide
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Nov 2, 2011, 5:16 PM
Post #20 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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Well it may not be tight on other hondas, but it seems seized on this one, yet there is no room to get a hammer on it, let alone a punch, I'll keep trying, thanks
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Pyrcide
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Nov 3, 2011, 3:50 PM
Post #21 of 23
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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I want to say thanks to everyone who helped me. The alt is in and it took care of my charging light/ charging issue. After using a bottle jack to push out the new wedged alternator I ended up having to grind down the press bushing. After that all went well. Thanks again ALOT, to all you folks, this was one of the most strung out and bad fit repairs I've done. Unfortunatly Im having another issue with my other car so I'll be posting again soon, but thats for another day.
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Hammer Time
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Nov 3, 2011, 3:57 PM
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Re: weird problems with car charge
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Glad to hear you got it resolved.
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We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.
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