My 98 civic has been sitting for 3 months (I bought a 2011 to replace it!). I was jumping it to take it to a friends garage for another problem (see my previous post), so that I can sell it. It was having trouble turning over and when it finally did, smoke came from what I think is the a/c compressor belt.

Could something have seized from sitting? What steps should I take to figure out how I can get this car to drive at least an hour away? Can I just cut the belt to free it from the engine... I'm just hoping it's not the alternator.

Thanks for your help.

 

Well it's the alternator. Is it common for it to freeze up from sitting for too long? Or should I just replace it?

 

Also, if the alternator was on it's way out, could it have been causing my low idle rpm's? Which then would cause the car to stall. It would only run without stalling with the ac on (cause of the higher idle).

 

low voltage will cause it not to run with out a full charge the ecm will not send the right signal to the motor for fuel and spark

 

i fully charged the battery. all belts are moving, the alternator pulley is not moving...hence the burning rubber. the engine tries to turn over and shakes when trying to start it.

so are you saying the alt isn't turning because of the possible lack of charge from the battery?

i have a friend with tools and some experience on honda engines who is willing to help, i just need to know the steps to take to diagnose this problem and/or replace the alt

Step 1: test the battery
Step 2: test the voltage on the alt?

i am going to check out my ignition switch too, since it may have been the (unresolved) cause of the car stalling to begin with...and the IACV while i'm at it.

Thanks

 

Remove alternator belt, then try to start. Quite possibly it's simply that the drag is not allowing the engine to spin fast enough to get started.

It may be possible to free the alternator by turning it with a wrench. The tolerances inside are quite tight and a little rust will bind the rotor to the stator. Or you can take it apart and clean the rust off.

 

Thanks. I think it's the drag too. Will try to free the alternator, it's really corroded.

 

remove the belt from the alternator and try to start it if it runs fine with a full charge on the battery then the cause will be the alt. you also can take it to autozone or advanced auto and they can check it for you

 

Removed the belt, engine started right up. Rpm's started soaring, had to adjust the throttle. Not sure why that happened, maybe from cranking the engine repeatedly? It's on a flatbed, so I can get it to my friend's garage and replace the alternator.

Any thoughts on using rebuilt alternators?

 

if you have a local shop to do it they test them pretty good should have no issues