Few quick questions...
 

First off, Hi!

2005 Civic LX 5spd 2dr. (stock)
Picked up last week. Love the grey color.

First time driving standard..lol

The factory ground wires were pretty corroded.
Looked like there were one two.
Right in the front from "chassis" to engine.
Then from battery to chassis to engine.

I replaced all with sleeved copper 4AWG and soldered ring terminals, I also used new bolts.

I was going to do at least 4AWG from alternator+ to batt+ but it was pretty difficult to get at bolt, awkward really.
There's a weird clip on top I couldn't figure out.
What's the best way to add a cable from alt to battery?

As well:

It sounds like my A/C turns on (more engine bay noise) when I turn the HVAC fan on, and my lights dim (the same before/after upgrading ground wires, maybe upgrading alt to battery will help?). Even though the A/C light is not on. When I press the A/C button on, there are no more louder noises from the engine bay.
Does the A/C turn on all the time when you just turn the fan on?


Hope you can help!

Congrats on the new car and welcome to the club! :)

To address some of you questions:

If you turn the defrost on, your a/c will turn on, regardless of what temperature you have it set to. (but don't worry, if you set it to 'hot', you'll still get hot air ;) ). There are several reasons for this: It drys the air helping you defrost/defog your windshield faster, and it ensures the a/c compressor gets used at least a bit during the winter and colder months when you normally wouldn't use the a/c (so it doesn't seize, etc.). You can over-ride it though and turn it off if you wish.

About changingt he cables from battery to alternator; If they are already still in good condition, there is really no benefit or need to change them. Depending on how high you have the HVAC system running (full blast?) it can use a lot of juice.

It's not a bad idea to have your alternator and battery checked to make sure they're in good shape before winter hits.

Great.

Thanks so much for the reply, and welcome.

The brake fluid looks to be original, slightly brown.
So I figured I would bring it to Honda, have them change it, and get them to look over the entire car while at it.
Maybe anti-freeze coolant as well.

Yeah, the positive cables looks to be in find condition. It may just be best to leave it, for now.

If you have some tools and a friend, you can easily flush/bleed the brakes yourself and save a few coins...

I have done it before on many cars, but I thought it might be a good idea to bring it to Honda and have them do it, and look over the entire car. I have a few minor concerns and thought I would save a alot of my time bringing it to one place that I can "hopefully" trust, instead of searching for the answers myself.

I know there's many helpful people people here, and glad to be a part of the club!