imported_DT80

HI,

I just went into my car and noticed

1) battery light is on
2) a burning smell ....
3) open up the hood and hearing a humming sound from near the alternator
4) Battery light seems to go on and off as i drive.
5) noticed that when i step on the gas while I'm parked, my headlights are brighter, then when i release it get's dimmer.

is this a sign of my alternator going soon??? PLease help cause i need to get to work tomorrow. thank you

scarlemthug

burning smell from where?

imported_DT80

i smell it from inside the car.. from the vents so i'm assuming its from the bay coming in

imported_BWK

change ur alt.

imported_gatherer

smells like a short too me

imported_DT80

how do i test to find out the problem?

imported_Cablerat

Whenever the car starts resorting to battery power, the battery light will come on. So it could be the alternator is kicking in and out..

Revving the engine makes the alternator spin faster, producing more power.. Generally if the alternator is in good shape reving the engine won't really make lights go brighter, but if it's dying then yeah it's a good possibility.

You sure the burning smell isn't coming from the alternator? Usually burning smell is accompanied by smoke!

Most likely it is your alternator.. It's a pain to replace those on civics.. Gotta take out the driveshaft to remove it.

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

I parked my car once for a month or so, and when I finally started it again (I was doing some work on it) the alternator had seized up, there was this god awful noise and burning smell from the belt slipping over the pulley.

imported_DT80

it ended up being my alternator. the volt regulator was messed in the alternator causeing the acid in the battery to boil and have that strong sulphur smell. but it has been replaced and it's all good.. i replaced the alternator w/o taking off the shaft, but it was a pain in the @ss though

imported_Cablerat

how did you remove the alternator if you didn't pull the shaft out of the tranny?

bbarbulo

iTrader: (2)

are you guys serious Honda actually recommends to take out the axle in order the change the alternator????

cuz when I did my Prelude I was in the same situation, everywhere I went it seemed to just not have enough room, so finally I undid the engine mounts and jacked up the engine to give myself more room. way easier than pulling the axle out.

imported_Cablerat

I don't know if honda recommends it, but pretty much the general way people do it (atleast I always thought so)..

Remove the lower ball joint and tie rod, then pull axle out of tranny and let it sit.. Keep rotor and everything else still intact..

I figured another way could be to jack up the engine.. Could probably do it without removing the driver side mount. Lift it up a couple of inchs and clear up the alternator up top.