Losing Voltage

"RandyCamp" wrote in message

> My '90 Acura Legend is losing power while the car is running. My volt
> meter reads 14 at the beginning, and about 2 minutes later, it reads
> under 13. I tested my alternator and it passed at auto zone. Any
> suggestions?
>
>

You don't mention the mileage, but guessing it's around 150K miles or so the
alternator brushes are probably worn out. Often they are worse when warm,
but mostly that is a marginal difference. Brush trouble shows up in the
early stages as intermittent charging, and a '90 might be early enough that
the warning light won't tell you anything is wrong. More recent Hondas use a
separate sensing circuit.

If you are seeing the voltage pop up and down, gradually becoming more down
than up, you are probably seeing the brushes make their last stand.
Replacing the brushes, assuming you can obtain them, is a cost-effective
approach. See Elle's web page on that at
http://home.earthlink.net/~honda.lioness/id13.html - her site is tailored
more for Civics but the principles are the same.

Avoid aftermarket rebuilt alternators. They have earned a reputation for
poor reliability.

Mike