Charging System

Tiny
PERUMK4
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 HONDA CIVIC
  • 175,000 MILES
Car died while my sister was driving to work. I jumped started the car and took it to a automotive store. They charged the battery and said the battery was good. The car made it to her house about two miles and would not start the next day. She had her neighbor jumpstart the car and took it back to the autoparts store where the tested the alternator and battery while in the car. There test indicated the alternator was not charging properly. I removed the alternator and had it tested while out of the vehicle. The alternator tested just fine.

I noticed while removing the alternator there was a large 14mm bolt on top of the alternator contacting the alternator it was practically fallig out. I tightened the bolt. I then noticed the belt for the alternator was extrememly worn and cracked practically all the way through. I replaced the belts reconnected the alternator. Replaced the negative ground wire, which was missing the bottom half o fthe insulation and was extremely corroded on the battery. I checked the fuses for the alternator and the main fuse. They are all in proper working order.

I then had the battery tested again since it was not holding a charge and was corroding the negative terminal again. The battery tested in good condition. The civic is still not holding a charge. Any suggestions?

Is there a simple way to check for a power drain?
Friday, December 30th, 2011 AT 6:19 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
Did you replace the negative battery cable?Is the alternator charging now?Do you have a multimeter to do some testing?
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Friday, December 30th, 2011 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
Ensure there is continuity for the wire between the alternator main post and battery terminal. If there is a break in continuity, it could mean a bad connection somewhere or a bad main fuse.
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Friday, December 30th, 2011 AT 7:15 PM
Tiny
PERUMK4
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
@ saturntech9. I have replaced the negative (ground wire) to the battery with an new OEM. I cheked and the Alternator is charging fine. I also found the tensioner bolt on the alternator was completely missing, I have replaced that bolt. I do not have a multimeter but I am sure I can borrow one.

@KHLow2008. As soon as I get my hands on a mutlimeter I will test for continuity. However since it is charging I would assume there is continuity.
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Friday, December 30th, 2011 AT 8:23 PM
Tiny
KHLOW2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 41,814 POSTS
If you tested the charging between battery terminals then yes, the continuity is good.
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Friday, December 30th, 2011 AT 9:12 PM
Tiny
SATURNTECH9
  • MECHANIC
  • 30,869 POSTS
The alternator is charging then you have to check for excessive draw.
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Saturday, December 31st, 2011 AT 4:13 AM

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