Civic EG

Ok guys I need some insight into this little problem that popped up with my civic this evening. I was driving around and when I stopped at a light the radio cut out, the gauges died and the lights dimmed. So I revved it up to about 1k rpms and everything came back on. So I turned everything I could off and drove home (about 15-20 miles). The problem would only happen at idle, there was no more stops on my way home and the lights stayed nice and bright. So my initial thought was a bad alternator, but I'm not so sure. I'm going to check it out more in the morning, it was very cold out tonight. Any help is appreciated. Thanks

I agree, bad alternator. it's not charging properly except at mid-high rpm.

Well I checked everything out, but all I have to check voltage with is a volts gauge from a mack truck haha.

12.5 volts at the batt, car off
14.5 volts high idle
12.5 volts everything on

It didn't die when I disconnected the batt at warm idle, but did die when disconnected w/ everything on. It seems my problem has disappeared, but I'm gonna take a 30 mi ride now w/ my volts gauge and see what happens.

You should see about 14 volts at normal idle speed.

Make sure all your engine grounds are present and in good shape.