Alternator Going bad... AGAIN

[ryryninja]

So the last few days I've noticed that when ever my radiator fan cuts on, its like my cars electronics surge and power off and then right back on. Mostly just the radio. It got worse though, my headlights and fogs cut off then back on. One bulb didn't cut back on so i pulled over at McDonalds to see whats going on.

Now my positive terminal connector could be replaced as it doesnt fit as snug as it used to. But I know its not coming on and off the battery post when I'm driving. I just got the alternator replaced around 71k miles.... i'd hate to have to bring it in again for the same stupid reason though it looks like I might have to

Only extra electronics i'm running are 2 hid kits and it still does it during the day time when the lights are off. Ground wire kit which shouldn't do anything negative and a voltage stabilizer. No aftermarket system or anything.

Any other ideas of what it might be? Gonna call the dealership tomorrow, sigh...

[radiocontrolhead]

It could very well just be your HID headlights.

[Zeuceone]

Looks like the dealer set you up on your last visit.

[ryryninja]

Originally Posted by radiocontrolhead

It could very well just be your HID headlights.

I hope not. That would really suck, just read up more and more and more its pointing to a failing alternator.

[ryryninja]

Originally Posted by Zeuceone

Looks like the dealer set you up on your last visit.

Well they are gonna be replacing it for free then

[ryryninja]

I also failed to mention that a few weeks ago on the stock battery, I woke up one morning to find out the car wouldn't start. Had to jump it because the battery was dead. I didn't leave any lights on or anything like that. I've gotten a new battery since then so I know it can't be that.

[udumkid]

Didnt you get that buddy club stabilizer box a few months ago>?....

[volvo9]

Could also be your battery. If it's getting weak then all of the electrical load of devices (esp high drain ones like rad fans) is getting put on the alternator, which can't deal with high current peaks alone.

If you have had two alts fail so soon then you must be overpowering them with the stuff you added and killing it prematurely.

EDIT: Nevermind about the battery thing, you just posted and said you got a new one.

[ryryninja]

Originally Posted by udumkid

Didnt you get that buddy club stabilizer box a few months ago>?....

yeah, but i doubt that does anything with holding a charge. My car acted like this a few times before I got the alternator replaced the first time. At that point I was only running 1 HID kit and thats it.

[ryryninja]

Originally Posted by volvo9

Could also be your battery. If it's getting weak then all of the electrical load of devices (esp high drain ones like rad fans) is getting put on the alternator, which can't deal with high current peaks alone.

If you have had two alts fail so soon then you must be overpowering them with the stuff you added and killing it prematurely.

EDIT: Nevermind about the battery thing, you just posted and said you got a new one.

I'm gonna use the voltmeter from work tomorrow when I get into the office. See if I can find the culprit. The first alternator failed at 71k. I've only had this one for about 16k almost 17k

[udumkid]

Originally Posted by ryryninja

yeah, but i doubt that does anything with holding a charge. My car acted like this a few times before I got the alternator replaced the first time. At that point I was only running 1 HID kit and thats it.

Bring it by...I will run a charging system test...

[ryryninja]

Went to a shop this morning to test the charging system, family friend I guess you could say. Said my charging system is completely fine.
Looks like I won't be needing a new alternator Figured out that the positive terminals on the HIDs aren't seated fully against the post. After readjusting them a bit making sure everything sat FLUSH, I let the car sit thru a few cycles with nothing on at first. Passed that test. Then had the radio and defroster on.. once again it passed. Then the real moment of truth, HIDs both sets, radio and defroster on.... and it passed again. I drove with my HIDs and everything on and for about 30 miles to really test it. Came up to a few lights and when the radiator fans cut on, nothing shut off The idle is a bit rough though, i'm sure the ECU reseted a few times during this whole ordeal. Gonna relearn the idle later today and hopefully all is well.


I'm probably going to replace the positive terminal on the car's harness itself first. Its pretty worn and doesn't snuggly grab the positive post as much as it used. If that doesn't fix it then I'm going to replace all three positive terminals on the HIDs and voltage stabilizer.

[06CivEXJon]

I noticed that the alternator is very weak in our civics and the battery. Replacing both with higher more powerful units should solve a few issues.

[Phalanx]

Ive noticed my car seems to be having a little hesitation when trying to turn on the past few days. Not sure why this is happening.... maybe its the alternator?