# Rough start, runs hot, flickering lightsk **URL:** \ **Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\ **Created:** [February 1, 2020, 1:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-start-runs-hot-flickering-lightsk/157678 "2020-02-01T01:49:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 8\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Stephanie\_Deemer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Stephanie\_Deemer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Stephanie_Deemer)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 1:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-start-runs-hot-flickering-lightsk/157678/1 "2020-02-01T01:50:00Z")
My lovely 2004 158600 mile honda civic has been feeling under the wheather latley and all my fixes don’t seem to well… Fix it. I’ve only owned the car for about 3-4 months. (I was told last week by a third party the car sat for awhile before I got it). I first noticed it liked to start a little rougher than I liked, but never misfired. then a month later the headlights and dash lights began to flicker at a constant rate of bright to dim. Sometimes when I’m idle the lights don’t flicker. Within the last day when I first start it up itll idle a bit rough with a hiccup once or twice and then is fine once I get going. I changed the spark plugs last week but no luck on a fix. The battery is only a year n a half old. I thought maybe the alternator but it’s been a growing issue for months and many miles. Where as im my past experience when the alternator fails its a fairly quick process. The second problem I have is it getting hot. The first time was at a drive through. I immediately changed the thermostat. Then it happened a few more times, I never let it get hot enough to overheat and turn off, but hot enough I knew I needed to pull over and let it cool for 30 mins. So I changed the thermostat again, radiator, and coolant hoses. That seemed to do the trick though yesterday it got a little hot (maybe just a little past half.) Which wasn’t too awful but hotter than where it likes to sit.[20200130\_123150|666x500](https://community.cartalk.com/uploads/short-url/Acckrw8es9Bud4SgHx2INhx5sod.jpeg) Anyone have any ideas on where I need to start? I’m wondering if the heat issue has to do with the other issue. Likes its working the engine more. No check lights have gone on btw. ---
**Author:** ![wentwest](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/wentwest/32/6073_2.png) [@wentwest](https://community.cartalk.com/u/wentwest)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 2:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-start-runs-hot-flickering-lightsk/157678/2 "2020-02-01T02:26:23Z")
It’s very hard to diagnose a car when you know nothing about its history. I would certainly do all the routine maintenance - oil, oil filter, air filter, condition of coolant, etc. ---
**Author:** ![George\_San\_Jose1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e5b9ba/32.png) [@George\_San\_Jose1](https://community.cartalk.com/u/George_San_Jose1)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 4:44am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-start-runs-hot-flickering-lightsk/157678/3 "2020-02-01T04:44:22Z")
Overheating during long idles (like at a drive-thru) can be a problematic engine cooling fan not turning on when it should. For the electrical system, suggest the basic battery/alternator voltage test as a way to start: Before first start of the day the battery should measure about 12.6 volts; immediately after starting the engine, 13.5 to 15. 5 volts. What does your shop measure? ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 6:40am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-start-runs-hot-flickering-lightsk/157678/4 "2020-02-01T06:40:05Z")
I do like the cooling fan for overheating, but do not trust the time the car has sat unused and think the gas may be spoiled. ---
**Author:** ![It\_s-Me](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/it_s-me/32/12660_2.png) [@It\_s-Me](https://community.cartalk.com/u/It_s-Me)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 1:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-start-runs-hot-flickering-lightsk/157678/5 "2020-02-01T13:41:12Z")
> [@Barkydog](#): > > but do not trust the time the car has sat unused and think the gas may be spoiled. She’s been driving it for 3+ months, I think any bad gas has been used up. ---
**Author:** ![Cavell](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/cavell/32/43396_2.png) [@Cavell](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Cavell)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2020, 1:57pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-start-runs-hot-flickering-lightsk/157678/6 "2020-02-01T13:57:14Z")
Check the voltage at idle. Than you know if alt is good. Is it using any coolant? ---
**Author:** ![vipergg](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/v/50afbb/32.png) [@vipergg](https://community.cartalk.com/u/vipergg)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-start-runs-hot-flickering-lightsk/157678/7 "2020-02-02T02:34:49Z")
Sounds like a timing belt that has slipped a tooth . This could cause it to run rough and even run hot if the timing is off . Dont know what engine you have so dont know if it’s a belt or chain . If its a belt has it ever been changed ? Also make sure the fan is coming on when needed . ---
**Author:** ![Stephanie\_Deemer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Stephanie\_Deemer](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Stephanie_Deemer)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2020, 5:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/rough-start-runs-hot-flickering-lightsk/157678/8 "2020-02-02T05:06:44Z")
Ohhh, that’s a good suggestion. I actually don’t know if it’s ever been changed before. If it is the timing belt I might just change the belt the water pump any alternator all at once. I’ll take it to auto zone this week and check the alt/battery. Thank you all for the great advice.