I have a 2003 Civic EX it is a standard 5 spd. The other day I was starting to take off and the car turned off briefly then turned back on almost instantly without me having to turn the key again. Now today the radio will shut off while im driving or idling. I parked it and shut it off at my destination. When i went back to start it, it wouldnt start at all. When i turned the key it did nothing. I tried it twice more and still nothing. Then finally it started up like nothing happened. I had to re enter the code for the radio as if i disconnected the battery. THen while driving it shut the radio off and on several times. I shut car off. Now it is sitting parked and it will be there for several hours. I had a similar problem back in 2008, and it was the alternator. I replaced the alternator, but it was a cheap one and i know they dont last more than a couple years. So i think it is my alternator. Im assuming if it is my alternator, very shortly my car wont start at all. If its not the alternator, what else could it be? If the car ultimately wont start at all, does this sound like its the alternator? Once its dead, should i just remove the alternator and take it to Autozone to have it tested?

I appreciate any help and insight!

Thanks,

Nicholas

 

That same exact thing happened to me the other day - the radio thing was really confusing me. Turns out that for some reason my negative terminal came off the battery. It could be a bad ground to the battery, but since the car actually cut off (mine did not) on you then it may be the alternator. That being said, yes, you should take it to autozone to get tested. It can't hurt and can rule that out if it is not the problem.

Mike

 

Yes check the connections at the battery, you should not be able to pull them off by hand. Then get the car started (will probably work to jump start) and measure the voltage at the battery posts with the engine running but everything else electric turned off. If it's less than 13.5 volts, the alternator is not charging the battery.