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veronv · Feb 17, 2007, 07:32 AM

I just bought a 91 Civic (2 dr hatchback DX). It was running OK for a week or so until today when it died in me while driving. I had turned the heater ON 20-25 minutes before that. It smelt like the engine was overheated. But the car started up again fine in a minute or so but won't run unless I turn off all lights. I have electronic locks on the car and those locks also behaved weird with the lights. Opend and closed as if I was starting and cutting the ignition.

I had read about the same problem here, but no one seemed to have mentioned anything about heater ON or light deeming out, or electrionic locks behaving weird as if the ignition was getting ON and OFF. So I thought I should post it again with more details that I have. Can anyone help ?

And its my first post here... so greetings to you all ! :)

TxGreaseMonkey · Feb 17, 2007, 09:17 AM

Hopefully, reading sections A and B will help:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...ics-46563.html

1. Check all under-dash and under-hood fuses with a test light or multimeter.
2. Check for codes.
3. Answer 3 basic diagnostic questions.
4. If everything appears okay, I would focus on the main relay, igniter, and coil, which are subject to intermittent failure. Because of the age of your Civic, I recommend replacing all of them. If you buy aftermarket parts, they are not too expensive and will greatly increase the reliability of your car. Finally, make sure the spark plugs (NGK only), distributor cap, rotor, and plug wires are in good shape.

If your engine is overheating, don't drive it until it's fixed or you run the risk of warping the head and damaging the valves.

veronv · Feb 17, 2007, 05:44 PM

Greetings again...

I came across a few symptoms when I drove around... in addition to my last post... I followed the procedure with CEL light alll right... everything seems OK... even the fuel pump... the car starts OK and drives excellent... it starts dying ONLY if :

1. I turn headlights on
2. turn Indicators on
3. Apply brakes on idle or low speeds ( this is mostly because the brake LIGHTS come on which take a lot of battery, same as in case of headlights )
4. Turn Radio on
5. Turn a/c on

So my understanding is that everything is related to the Battery charge... lights, indicators everything... perhaps the battery is not supplying enough power when engines near idling... (when Dynamo stops working, may be... if I am not very wrong)... that's how I can try and understand (again if I am not entirely wrong! ) what's happening...

But since I am pretty new to this car (< 8 days) I am not sure what's happening physically in there... if the Alternator has problems causing the battery not to charge... or whether it means something else ?

Please help...

Thanks a loads...

TxGreaseMonkey · Feb 17, 2007, 06:07 PM

Make sure your battery is good. Begin by placing it on a charger and observe how the amp meter cuts back or not. Many auto part stores will check alternators for free. Sounds like a battery/alternator problem.

veronv · Feb 17, 2007, 08:53 PM

Yeah...

I would check that first thing in the morning... thanks a lot for your help txgreasemonkey... :)

veronv · Feb 18, 2007, 01:57 PM

It was the Alternator... it needs replacing...

Can anyone give me an idea of how much approximately would I be looking to spend for installing a new alternator ?

I can get a new alternator for about 150 USD, I guess...

TxGreaseMonkey · Feb 18, 2007, 02:03 PM

Here's how to do it yourself and save the money:

https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/cars-t...tml#post224856