Stupid Car problem!! Please help.

HondaCivic4358 · #1 08-21-2006, 08:23 PM

I was driving last night and I noticed that my temperature gauge went way up almost to the red. I also noticed that my clock and headlights were dim and later on, my check engine light came on. I was hoping just to get home, even though the car seemed to be running fine. I got home ok, then woke up this morning and forgot all about it. I got in my car took off, and not right away, but within about 5 minutes my check engine light came on again. My temperature gauge kept fluctuating from way up to way down, then I realized something. It either went up or down when I hit my brakes. Sometimes when I hit my brakes, the temp gauge would shoot way up, or drop down. I also noticed that hitting my brakes caused my cigarette lighter to short out, but letting off the brakes would me the power to it come on again. I noticed this because my radar detector kept turning on and off. My clock kept dimming when the brakes were hit as well. This must be a vacuum line, or an electrical problem. ANY ideas? Please help. Thank you.

FuLL BLown STD · #2 08-21-2006, 08:59 PM

dude juss check ur tire pressure on the passenger side tire..happens to me all the time..hope this helps.

HondaCivic4358 · #3 08-21-2006, 09:02 PM

wtf? i hope your not serious. lol

jeef · #4 08-21-2006, 09:07 PM

perhaps your alternator is on the way out....

HondaCivic4358 · #5 08-21-2006, 09:32 PM

good point...possibly...

FrodoGT · #6 08-21-2006, 09:46 PM

Check all of your grounds. Most likely problem.

CRXperiment · #7 08-21-2006, 10:02 PM

First get your CEL code, its most likely a code 20 for electric load. Then as stated above, check your tranny to battery, valve cover, and thermostat ground. After that you might wanna check your dash harness and brake wiring, they could have gotten mixed up and melted together thereby causing electric signals to be sent to your temp guage intsead of your brake lights, when you brake.

Hybrid1990crx · #8 08-21-2006, 10:19 PM

i 3rd to check you grounds for sure, probably corroded or not attached.

hondacivic99sivtec · #9 08-22-2006, 01:10 AM

i 4th that idea.

integra96lsvtec · #10 08-23-2006, 05:29 AM

checking the grounds is ur best idea

turtlecrxsi · #11 08-23-2006, 08:48 AM

First, check the codes. Then after that maybe you should take the time to investigate your wiring. Sounds like you have a short somewhere.

sparkeykev · #12 08-24-2006, 04:22 AM

check for short in brake light wiring also trailer hitch wiring if you have it seen many with trailer plug wiring shorting on exhaust

hondacivic99sivtec · #13 08-24-2006, 04:47 AM

ryan you say that like your questioning us. what would you do mr. smart ass?

HondaCivic4358 · #14 08-24-2006, 12:57 PM

ok...so now i am going to sound really stupid, and i know people flame for totally retarded questions, but if anyone could help me out by telling me how i go about checking the codes. i know where the ecu is at and the light, but i dont know if there is a right way. like turn the ca on....or accessory position or what. i dont know how to read the codes either.

turtlecrxsi · #15 08-24-2006, 01:28 PM

Just turn the car on, pull back the passenger side carpet and start counting blinks. When there is a significant pause, stop, then start over again. If the same number of beeps repeats then it is just one code. If there is then a different number of beeps you have two codes, etc. OBD0 d-series engines go one beep at a time. Check the FAQ thread for the code chart.

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