I plan on replacing my stock alternator in my 97 EX with a custom HO alternator when it dies, but I was given some disturbing news by a mechanic. The mechanic said that the computer regulates the charging output from the alternator, and if it isn't being drawn through the stock fuse box, then technically the computer will ramp back the alternator charging amps to save fuel. Basically, he said I can kill the battery with the sound system due to the fact that the computer didn't see the additional load and cut the alternator back to a minimum charge.

I heard this was a problem with the 01 and up Civics, but I didn't think this was the case with the 96-00 Civic. Can anyone shed some light on this for me?

 

sounds like BS to me

 

1. your USDM civic is not an EK thanks

2. I dont think that is true about the alternator but the computer will make the alternator go to low output, but it is still basing the numbers off a total load of the car not just through the fusebox

 

It's a widely accepted way of saying 96-00 Civic in shorthand. He probably knows that it's technically not an EK... and USDM has nothing to do with it, there are USDM EK's.

 

nope no there is no US EK

6G (1996-2000)
EG1 D16Y7 USDM 1996-1997 del Sol S (SOHC)
EG2 B16A2 USDM 1996-1997 del Sol VTEC (DOHC)
EH6 D16Y8 USDM 1993-1995 del Sol Si (SOHC)
EJ1 D16A JDM All 2-door
EJ3 JDM All 2-door / 4WD
EJ6 D16Y7 CANADA All 2-door DX/Si
EJ6 D17A7 CANADA 2000 2-door DX-G/ 3-door CX-G
EJ6 D16Y7 CANADA 1996-1998 3-door CX
EJ6 D16Y7 CANADA 1999-2000 3-door CX/DX
EJ6 D16Y7 CANADA 2000 3-door SE
EJ6 D16Y7 CANADA All 4-door LX/EX
EJ6 D16Y7 USDM All 3-door CX/DX
EJ6 D16Y7 USDM All 4-door DX/LX
EJ6 D16Y7 USDM 1999 4-door DX-V
EJ7 D16Y5 USDM All 2-door HX (VTEC-E)
EJ8 D16Y8 CANADA All 2-door EX
EJ8 D16Y8 USDM All 2-door/4-door EX
EK2 D13B JDM All 3-door/4-door
EK3 D15B JDM All 3-door/4-door
EK4 B16A JDM All 3-door/4-door
EK5 D16A JDM All 4-door 4WD/LEV
EK8 D16A JDM All 4-door 4WD/LEV
EK9 B16B JDM All 3-door Type-R
EM1 B16A2 CANADA 1999-2000 2-door SiR
EM1 B16A2 USDM 1999-2000 2-door Si

anyways back to helping him....what size system is in the car? If its big enough a High output cant hurt IMO. Do your lights flash at all when the system is on?

 

incorrect
the CX and DX hatchbacks are EK's
EK2 and EK3

 

lol no they are still EJ6 or EJ8 its just a vin code lettering its really not the end of the world

 

once again wikipedia fails me
lol
yea you're right, but wikipedia isn't... lol
i remembered reading that on wikipedia which is why i said something and then i went and looked it up and it still said it, so then after this post i went and looked on a different list and it isn't... stupid wikipedia

 

no youll be fine! tho i do advise a overdrive pulley for it. it will spin the alternator faster at idle for stop light beating.....
you can also put a yellow top optima D34/78 battery under the hood on a 96-00 civic

i got mine for sale.

its even got the overdrive pulley and ill include my custom upper alt bracket so you can keep the stock belt with the overdrive pulley.
it worked great on my 99ex i thought about puting it on my 96 but im not going to give the car any more watts.... but i will put the power in my truck. which means i need a different alternator.LOL

 

lol its all good duders you learn something new every day