hey everyone.. i have a 93 vigor gs and i just started getting this surge coming from the engine. Now it started just about a week ago when i came to a light..i had my lights on and i thought my heat but the A/C button was pushed on. (must of been when i changed the settings for the heat that i pushed it) well when i stopped at the first light it began to surge.. so i just looked at my dash and then seen the A/c button and shut it off. Ever since then it has been surging. What i notice is that it surges mainly when something is on. Such as heat (rarely when heat is on), lights always and a lot of times when the fan comes on. Now this only happens when i come to a stop or if my car is just running in park. I was told that it could be the IACV but i personally have no idea.. any opinions..thanks
AJ

 

It is usually the alternator trying to give your vehicle some extra juice for the power access. that you are using, that's why it only happens when something is on.

 

ok well I had the alternator just changed a couple weeks ago with a used one. might it have a defect? should i change it with another one?

 

Did the problem start right after the alternator change? You can get it tested and see if it is putting up the amperage that is within range, especially during idle.

 

well i was experiencing the same issue a couple of months ago but not as often and it didnt matter whether the lights were on or heat. it did it at all times. then my timing belt broke, did some damage, and a mechanic fixed everything by replacing all of the damaged parts plus some inside of the engine. when i got it back it was perfect. no surging, nothing at all. then my alternator failed a day after and then i had it changed with a used one. still the car was perfect no problems for two weeks all until the A/C button was pushed. that is when the problem began and hasnt stopped since. so getting the alternator tested will tell me if is the alternator, correct? would there be anything else that it might be? thank you very much for your help.

AJ

 

How bad is the surge? Does it actually move your car forward even with your foot on the brake?

 

well it doesnt actually move the car forward but you can feel the entire car move when it surges..so it is pretty bad..and that is with the brake on..

 

i would also like to add a strange issue that also occurs frequently..sometimes when i am sitting at a light with the lights on and it surges a few times, often it will enter what i call a limp mode.. wht happens is it stops surging but when i begin to accelerate the car will not go over 2800 rpms..when it gets to this point it begins to sort of buck/hesitate and i have to let off the gas to let it switch gears..i must shut the car off and then restart it for it to run normally..no clue but this problem is so peculiar.. might this sound like the alternator/regulator?? thnks for all help

AJ

 

What you described isn't normal, especially the part where it won't let you go pass 2800 rpm.

 

Yes. Have it checked by someone who knows the Honda/Acura charging system. It's a computer-controlled system. Certain alternator failures will cause voltage spikes to be induced into some of the Vigor's sensor wiring, mis-informing the ECU and causing it to do strange things.