hey yall my 98 ex is doing some weird things lately
once i start it the rpms go from 1200 (on cold engine) down to like 600
and back up and down until it warms up
but even when its warm it still does it and while diving
and when rpms go down the lights and the cluster and climate control all dim and stuff
i was thinking its probably the alternator
CE light went on last night when it was doing that so im gonna take it to shucks to check that today
just wanted to make sure it was the alternator before doing anything
what you guys thinking?
thanks

 

Pull the CEL codes and check whether 7.5A fuse 15 under the dash is blown. Read this TSB.

 

checked the CEL code got P0303 cylinder 3 misfire detected lol
what do i do now?
thanks ahead

 

P0303: Start by checking the spark plugs, wires, distributor cap, and rotor.

Did you check fuse 15?

 

yep fuse is fine
gonna check spark and distributor either tomorrow or saturday
thanks for the help RonJ

 

ok people got a little story for ya
so i took plug out of cylinder 2 my bro cranked the engine
no spark
ok
plug from cylinder 4
no spark
hmmm
code said misfire in cylinder 3
then car was idling for a little while
when i tried to start it again a little later it make a weird like groaning noise
tried starting again and doesnt start
cranks but i guess no spark from any of the plugs
can anyone help me out here please?
thanks

 

If you crank the engine without grounding the plug wire or plug, it's common to fry the coil.

 

i did ground it though
unless the valve cover doesnt count lol

 

Check that the cam still rotates (timing belt not stripped). A blown coil is very possible, could have been weak in the first place causing the misfiring.

 

ok changed the distributor cap
started up right away drives normal so far
CEL still on idk if thats cuz the ecu needs time or if theres still a problem
lol