92 Civic EX electrical glitch

Hello All,

I bought this used and don't know too much about it. When the rpms
drop to around 2k, the radio cuts out for a very brief moment. My
first suspicion was dirty connections somewhere but cleaning the (very
dirty, white, hairy) battery terminals didn't solve the problem. It's
an aftermarket radio/CD player and I haven't removed it yet to even
check on what the previous owner used for a power source.

Anything obvious I should check out? I'm not real worried about the
radio, but concerned that it might be a symptom of something worse.
For example, when the ABS engages the lights dim noticably (and the
horns had already rusted off long before I bought it).

If nobody has any suggestions, I'll probably start at the alternator
and work my way towards the accessories cleaning and tightening
connections. Maybe solder a big capacitor across the power leads?
Anything else?


Hank

 

The ABS engages the lights dim noticeably could be the result of
bad alternator charge. Check the alternator voltage.

No load: 14.5v at idle, 14.5v at revs.
Full load: 12.5v at idle, 13.5 at revs.

The control unit inside the alternator (if yours has one) should detect
the amount of load and kick in to keep up with the load demand.

Once, my radio would cut out at 1500 rpm. Turns out the capacitor
on the radio was so loose that it would cut out (no sound, no radio
lights) at a certain vibration frequency. To look for the problem I would
wiggle each capacitor.

 

================================

RUST is the big clue in your description, I think. Look for bad GROUND
connections on the battery lead, and all other chassis grounds. Ground
connections are just as important as the 'positive' ones, but they
create some spooky symptoms, since the current will sometimes find it's
way to ground thru other paths.

'Curly'

 

Thanks,

I'll look at that.

Hank