engine draining battery crazy, idle crazy, then stalls on the streets

1999 HONDA CIVIC

200,000 MILES • 1.6L • 4 CYL • 2WD • MANUAL

JASONFATHOMS

MEMBER
6 POSTS

my engine is draining my battery like a vampire=! when the battery gets low enough, WHICH IS IN ONLY A FEW MILES the car goes into death mode WITH THE IDLE FLIPPING OUT WITH SHAKING AND THEN IT DIES IN THE MIDDLE OF A BUSY STREET. I THINK I KNOW WHERE THIS MAJOR PROBLEM ORIGINATED FROM BECAUSE I WAS THOUGHT TO BELIEVE I FOUND IT! I HAD TO LENGTHEN ONE OF THE 02 SENSORS BECAUSE I PURCHASED A NEW EXHAUST. SO I ELECTRICAL TAPED UP ALL THE CONNECTIONS NICELY THINKING THERE WOULD BE NO PROBLEMS. AFTER THAT IS WHEN THINGS STARTED TO GO BAD!
JUST TODAY I WAS GOING THROUGH MY ENGINE AND REALIZED THAT THE WIRES FROM THE DOWNSTREAM O2 SENSOR WERE BURNED UP AND MASHED TOGETHER TOUCHING! SO I WAS RELIEVED THAT I FOUND THE PROBLEM!!!!!!! YAY!!!!!
BUT NOT EXACTLY THE PROBLEM BECAUSE IT IS BACK TO THE DRAWING BOARD AGAIN! WHAT CAN I DO? CHECK FUSES? POSSIBLY RESET THE ENTIRE SYSTEM? HEEEEEEEEEELP! ITS DRIVING ME CRAZY AND I WORK 35 MILES AWAY!
THANKS!

Nov 7, 2015 at 7:53 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

✓Experienced Mechanic
11,000 POSTS

YOU HAD THE ALTERNATOR TESTED AT A POPULAR AUTO PARTS STORE?

AT MINIMUM

WHAT ARE THE RESULTS USING THIS?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGB6ZEjGm7Q

THE MEDIC

Nov 7, 2015 at 10:39 AM

JASONFATHOMS

MEMBER
6 POSTS

I just got an alternator from the junk yard because autozone said it was bad. but it didnt fix the problem. it is possible that the used alternator is no good also like autozone said again. is there anyway i can check the alternator off the vehicle?

Nov 8, 2015 at 9:23 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

✓Experienced Mechanic
11,000 POSTS

YES!

YOU CAN GET A BENCH TESTING MACHINE LIKE AUTOZONE HAS

OR

YOU CAN TAKE IT TO THEM AND LET THEM TEST IT ON THEIRS

IF YOU DOUBT THE SKILLS OF THE EMPLOYEE YOU HAD LAST TIME

GO TO A DIFFERENT AUTO PARTS STORE

DID YOU TEST YOURS AS PER THE LINK I PROVIDED BEFORE?

IF THE ALTERNATOR TESTS GOOD, BUT STILL NOT CHARGING THE BATTERY, YOU MIGHT CHECK CONNECTIONS, FUSES, AND FUSIBLE LINKS, BROKEN WIRES.

A VOLTMETER IS A GREAT TOOL TO HAVE FOR NOW AND THE FUTURE, THEY ARE A MUST TO DIAGNOSE WITH, IT'LL SAVE YOU MEGA DIAGNOSTIC TIME.

YOU CAN GET A DECENT, CHEAP, DIGITAL VOLTMETER AT "HARBOR FREIGHT" FOR ABOUT $5. AT AN AUTO PARTS STORE THEY MAY BE AS HIGH AS $20.

THERE ARE MANY "YOU TUBE" VIDEOS THAT CAN SHOW YOU ALL KINDS OF WAYS TO USE ONE.

SHOULD YOU NEED SOMETHING ELSE $$$

PLEASE CHECK OUT THIS LINK BELOW. CURRENT GOOD PROMO CODES ARE "TRT30" (BEST FOR ME NOW) "A124" (STILL WORKS, NOT AS GOOD AS IT DID) AND LOOK FOR OTHERS THAT MAY DO BETTER ONLINE

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/2001-dodge-neon-milage-just-want-put-fliuds-their-locations

KEEP US POSTED

THE MEDIC

Image (Click to enlarge)

Nov 8, 2015 at 11:01 AM

JASONFATHOMS

MEMBER
6 POSTS

I bought a rebuilt alternator off ebay. Oreillys passed it with flying colors. THE PROBLEM PERSISTS. I KNEW DEEP DOWN INSIDE FROM THE GET GO THAT THEM WIRES CROSSING FOR I DONT KNOW HOW LONG FRIED SOMETHING IN THE COMPUTER I THINK?

Nov 14, 2015 at 8:45 AM

JASONFATHOMS

MEMBER
6 POSTS

GOT NEW ALTERNATOR. PASSED ALL TESTS, PROBLEM STILL PERSISTS!
I AM AT A VERY DIFFICULT TIME OF MY LIFE RIGHT NOW. AND THIS IS ADDING ICING TO THE CAKE...

Nov 14, 2015 at 8:48 AM

CJ MEDEVAC

✓Experienced Mechanic
11,000 POSTS

LOOK AT THE INFO IN THIS LINK

https://www.2carpros.com/questions/1996-buick-park-avenue-runs-battery-down-in-2-days

MAYBE IT WILL HELP IN SOME WAY

THE MEDIC

Nov 14, 2015 at 11:25 AM

JASONFATHOMS

MEMBER
6 POSTS

i just found out what it was yesterday.
i google searched touching o2 sensor wires or something of that nature, and FUSE 15 popped up. I CANNOT BELIEVE I PRACTICALLY WENT THROUGH HELL WITH ALTERNATORS WHEN THEY WEREN'T THE PROBLEM. I APPRECIATE YOUR HELP AND CONCERN..

Nov 16, 2015 at 8:27 PM

JASONFATHOMS