Car dying electrically on the road but will restart with some time.

[blkout23]

I have a 98 civic LX that I was driving last night in the rain. I noticed my wipers started to move slower, the radio lights started to cut in and out. My dash lights went dim and eventually the gauge needles all fell to the bottom. The car finally died, I sat there on the phone with my wife setting up a tow. I tried to start the car and it fired up and I could drive it again. I went 5 miles and the car started to die again. Did the process over again and I was able to make it home as it i died in the driveway. I never had the charge light come up while driving. Of course the lights on the cluster showed up as if you had the ignition in the on position.

**

I bought the car from a guy 2 weeks ago and installed a new battery and alternator.** Any ideas what could be going wrong or where to start troubleshooting?

 

[XpL0d3r]

I would check your grounds. Also check fuse 15 under the dash and make sure it's not partially blown.

 

[blkout23]

I would check your grounds. Also check fuse 15 under the dash and make sure it's not partially blown.

Thanks. I had someone else mention the battery connections and the chassis ground. I'll check the fuse also. Surly the car wouldn't start if the alternator was not charging the battery and the battery is dead. Am i wrong in thinking that I should have seen the charge light if the alternator wasn't working?

 

[HeX]

I agree with Xploder about the grounds. Its possible when you changed the battery and alternator that you didnt tighten tge wires enough and drving it has loosened the connections a bit.

 

[blkout23]

Thanks guys I'll give it a shot in a few hours.

 

[blkout23]

I'm not a complete moron so I came home at lunch and ran some test. The battery had a good 11.9v the car started and it still had 11.9v so I know the alternator is not putting out the charge(14v) like needed. I checked the connection on the alternator and I swear to you it's like some put it on hand tight. Tightened it up, ran the test again and now I have the proper charge volts. I believe problem is solved.

 

[HeX]

Thats why I suggested you check it after driving. The engine vibration likely shook it loose. Problem solved and lesson learned.


...and you're not a moron just off that. Its a simple mistake. Now, time will tell if you're a moron for other reasons.

 

[blkout23]

Thats why I suggested you check it after driving. The engine vibration likely shook it loose. Problem solved and lesson learned.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Tim Black]

To check the alternator crank the car and unhook the positive side of the battery, if the car cuts off alternator is no good. If it stays running it's good and the readings from your alternator should be more around 14. A car will run with a bad alternator till the battery goes dead just runs strait off the battery. But I'm pretty sure it's the alternator with those readings. And never trust a dummy light always do your homework and check that stuff with your hands and multimeter.