I was driving the Civic the other day when I noticed the battery light had come on. I changed my alternator belt and checked the tension of it. Since then the battery light will still come on. I hear no squeaking from the alternator belt and the terminals are tight. Could the alternator be going bad? It's the same alternator the car had 193,000 miles ago.

 

Might be a stupid question, but could it be the battery?!

 

Well, today I was driving along with the usual battery light on when I noticed the clock was getting dim so I shut off my headlights and by the time I got to AutoZone, the car was running, but the batt was so low that I couldn't use the turn signals. I got the battery checked and checked my terminals. Both were good. I had to jump the car to leave AutoZone and then the battery light went off. I think my alternator is siezing up or is just tempermental, because driving home it was fine the whole way. I still drove with my headlights off.

 

Sounds like it's time to replace the alternator. Better do it soon else you'll either be replacing an alternator AND a battery OR wishing you had while you're stuck on the side of the road....

Not flaming, speaking from experience

 

Yea change it the regulator could be going bad and causing it not to have the minimum amount of voltage needed to keep the battery charged. It happened to me last summer it would be on then off and sometimes even flickered. I tested it and the output was jumpy from 10 to 17.8 volts. I changed it and everythings been fine since.

 

Exitid, How much is the regulator? I believe that is it, because if I rev the engine up to around 4k it goes off and the light will flicker just like you said. Also where is the regulator located and how do I install it?

 

Can you just change the regulator on modern internally regulated alternators? I don't think you can. I looked through the shop manual for a 96 Civic, and there was nothing about the regulator. I'f memory serves, parts prices from online shops are about 160$ or so...not too painful.
But as the others said, swap out the alternator now before you're stuck. Getting 193k isn't too bad for a $160 part. I usually start to see these things go around 170k...so I'm getting ready for that swap on my Civic.
Bogatyr

 

Ok. The price of the alt at Autozone is $55.00 though. Does it have the regulator? I have no idea what to do at this point.

 

Falkon,
Yes, the alternator should be internally regulated, meaning the voltage regulator is inside the alternator.
Sounds like a good price. What is the warranty on that part?
Bogatyr

 

I'm screwed. I got the alternator off all mounts, but I can't get it out of the engine. I tried to take off the adjusting arm, but I ended up rounding the bolt. There is currently no way to get it off. I think I'm gonna have the car towed to the local ripoff redneck Firestone and see if they can at least get the bolt out. I really have no idea what to do at this point so I'm throwing down my tools and giving up.