Electrical System Help

I have a '89 Civic SI that is giving me some trouble. While driving first the radio will quit then lights will dim and then the engine quits. When you try to restart nothing happens. If yo jump it, it will run fine for awhile and then a week or so later same thing. The battery is fairly new and the alternator is brand new (2nd one in last year). Any help? Thanks/Greg

Have you checked the coil?

Have you checked the coil?


the coil is going to have nothing to do with the battery dieing like that... its likely its either the battery or alternator have them checked out first... if they are ok make sure all your wire connections are good...

I think you should check to see if any connecters to your altenator, battery, or starter a loose. I had trouble like that before and after a battery and 3 altenators later, I found out that my starter, which was sticking, caused major damage to my altenator and battery, and just like your car, it was becoming a major pain-in-my-ass.

the coil is going to have nothing to do with the battery dieing like that... its likely its either the battery or alternator have them checked out first... if they are ok make sure all your wire connections are good...

What is your rationale on ruling out the coil? It is part of the “wire connections”—and ultimately a link in the electrical system in regards to the alternator and battery.Sometimes, a faulty coil can become intermittent from cold to hot, resulting in a short in the ignition system when the coil warms up (This means the car will stall when warmed up). Also, if there is any moisture residing in the coil, it could be rotten and causing problems. Jeef, did you read Gregc’s post..? He said his alternator is brand new and batt fairly new. Those 2 are already ruled out. Gregc, Try cleaning the coil mount (which is it's ground) and see if it makes a difference. Make sure every connection in the vicinity has a clean ground. Test the voltage at the battery terminals. If it's not at least 13 volts or more (with the car running), then your battery is not receiving anything from the alternator. I'm not sure if that particular honda has a built in voltage regulator or not, (probably does), but either way, I would look directly at the wiring that is coming from the alternator and check it 100%. Especially the larger cable (alternator charge output).If the alternator isn't charging anything up, then it must be something that leads from it(Yeah, I agree with you here, Jeef). Maybe if you checked the wiring, a new belt, and some belt grip, so the alternator wil have a good spin, and you've replaced the wiring to the battery, you might get some more time out of it. --Dont underestimate the importance of a solid ground connection!

--Be cool, stay in school--

If it was the coil(from my experience) you wouldnt even be able to jump the car.

Sounds like a bad ground to me. Check it

also, just because you have 13-14 volts from ur battery doesn't mean anything....it has to have proper amperage also. Ur battery could have 13 volts but no amperage (current) or power to start the car.....just a thought.

True,true.

I had a 67 Camaro that did that, turned out to be the starter.