Ok.,. i'm thinking alternator, just want to make sure before I go get one...

this morning, i started the car up, started fine, not warning lights on. I go inside for 5 min while the engine warms up and defrosts the windows. I come back out and the battery light is on. My voltmeter reads 11v. I rev the engine to 2.5-3k and the light goes off, as soon as revs drop below 1.5k the light comes back on. Happens every time i rev it.

Well, i've seen the volts go low sometimes on my car with alot of elec load so i think maybe it just needs to run a bit w/ the engine speed changing to charge. So I start driving. No more than 300ft later my volts are down to 10v and the light is still on. I stop, go back home and get the wife to drive me in.

Alternator?

Thanks

 

load test using your DVM at 2000 rpm with lights off (13.9-14.4 volts) and ALL accessorys on (11.5-12.2 volts)

then shut it off and read the battery voltage with no load, it should stay above 12.4-12.6 volts.

$10 DVM is all you need!

 

well with it running, heater on speed 2, headlights on (not highbeams) and radio on it was 10v (car running).

 

I would say yes, sounds as if the alternator is not charging, and the vehicle is depleting the batteries stored energy as you drive. Probably a good thing you turned around or you might not have made it to work. I hate changing the alternator...having to pull the axle for that sucks

 

It's 0c, i've got a quote to install one for $60, and I'm lazy.

 

you have to pull the axle to change the alternator? what kind of car is that? cant be a honda.

 

Well, I was going by his screen name and assumed that he has a 2nd gen CRX. As far as I know, the 4th gen civics and 2nd gen CRX's require the driver axle to be removed in order to R&R the alternator. If I am wrong, somebody please tell me an easier way. I did replace one without pulling an axle once. It required removing the driver side motor mount and using a BFH to modify the driver shock tower, LOL. It was a $100 car, I did not care, I just wanted the alternator in there.

 

I've done 88-91 Civic without removing the Axle. As long as it's a SOHC you should need to. Remove the lower Alternator Bracket and wigle it out.

B-series and DOHC ZC you cant. I normally pull the Master Cylinder to get down there and it's still a wigle.

Get a D16z6 Altenator too. it's 10 more amps then an a6 so You get a little better performance from it.

 

we just did the alternator on an 87 accord at work... the book calls for the axle to be removed...but our genious mechanic just took the alternator braket off...making enough room to slide the old one out...the new one in...reinstall bracket, reinstall alternator...and you have a new alternator without taking out the axle. dont know if the crx's are the same...but im sure its worth a shot.

 

Hmmm, might have to try that and soon. I think the alternator on the wife's winter ride is going bad, well, the bearing is starting to moan rather loudly