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2001 Honda Civic Charging problem

Tiny
PARKERMILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2001 HONDA CIVIC
  • 4 CYL
  • 2WD
  • MANUAL
  • 130,000 MILES
I replaced the alternator on my 2001 Civic EX a year ago and just got a new battery, and the belts and connections seem to be in order. When I start the car after it's been sitting for several hours, the battery light flashes for about 10 minutes and electrical components are not at full strength -- the headlights and dashboard lights are clearly dimmer than normal. But after that 10-minute period, the battery light stops flashing and the headlights return to full strength and stay at that level as long as the car is on. And if the car has only been off for a brief period -- 30 minutes or so -- it starts without incident. The alternator seems to be working at least part of the time, why is it or the charging system not working when I first start my car?
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Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 AT 10:19 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Hi ParkerMiller,

Inside the alternator there are electronic components and circuits that can fail intermittently. Heat plays a part under such circumstances and cause non charging.
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Monday, April 5th, 2010 AT 12:28 PM
Tiny
PARKERMILLER
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thanks for the reply -- anything I can do besides replacing the alternator?
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Monday, April 5th, 2010 AT 9:56 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Before replacing the alternator, test the charging rate first. When the indicator light is steady or blinking with engine running, test the charging rate.

Other areas to check would be the ground circuit and also the alternator bracket. Clean the alternator bracket and retighten the bolt to ensure a good ground.

The problem might also be a bad PCM or multiplex control system instead of the alternator.
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Tuesday, April 6th, 2010 AT 12:18 PM

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