It started less than 3days ago...

I'll try to be as detailed as possible.

This week on my way to work, I turned on the ignition to my car and heard a whirring sound somewhere under the hood. A sound that wasnt normal for the usual ignition and was something that stucked and got my attention.
Driving to my work of at max of 15mins commute, the sound dissolves. Day passes and I just turn off the radio to check the while driving to work, the sound would normally disappear.

Skipping to this day:
Drove to Discount Tire this morning, to have my tires inspected and rotated and still hear the whirring sound. Popped up the hood since it was starting to bother my attention. I leaned near the warm hood and scented faint scent of burned rubber? but I just thought it was just the running belt.

Drove to play basketball and worked out of less than 8 miles this evening and the car took awhile starting up.(It was laggy during the ignition). Driving back home, my warning lights (VSA, ABS, BRAKE, Airbags , Maintenance Req'd) all turned on. The Navigation system started to 'turn on' to the welcome screen and 'turn off', repeatedly while driving as well. Closing to my neighborhood, i started noticing my headlights starting to flicker. At this time all of any unnecessary battery usage was turned off (I turned off the AC and Radio)
Got in an intersection and my odometer just failed shut with all the needles pointing to zero!!
The engine was working perfectly, but the electrical unit was just going haywire.
Blessing in disguise, I finally made it home and drove up the ramp of my garage, with all of the electrical units almost failing...
The car stalled halfway up the ramp and starting up the car was not an option anymore. All electrical units were down and car not starting up.
I parked the car in front of my yard and the key remote seem to respond and securely lock my car. The puddle lights was on during the time the front door was open.

Key facts:
-recently took my car to the dealership to do the 100k mile warranty and fixed my Navigation system (In 12.5.2011)
-have new set of batteries that was purchased on October or November of 2011
-have not replaced the spark plugs yet

Pictures of the odometer while driving back home from the highway and inside my subdivision
Click here

I have a feeling its the alternator. But really want to make sure.

Anyone have any feedback?


Edit::
If you are from Houston, TX do you have any trusted mechanic that can fix this problem??

 

My guess would be alternator, too. As voltage drops accessories begin to get the demon in them.

 

Omg i think I would have jumped out of the car. Has a creepy poltergeist feel to it.. lol

 

I checked the condition of my Battery and alternator today. The Battery was at 11.6 V and Alternator was Bad from the indication of the machine I purchased from SAMS club called Power On Board 25 Amp Battery Charger.

Called alot of places here in houston and quoted me around 350s for both the parts and install. Thought I might as well go to the dealership since the prices were the same..


Anyone in the houston area know some trusty mechanic?

 

I have always used John Eagle Acura for my repairs - asl for Eric Younger, service advisor. Tel him Kevin recommened you. Check online for service coupons.

 

I have several questions:

1) What year is your car and how many miles does it have? Does it have exactly 100k since you mentioned you had this service done?

2) Are you the original owner or did you buy the car used?


Question to other members of the board:

Don't alternators usually last more than 100k miles? In a previous car I had the alternator lasted over 150k miles.

 

Answer
1) its an 05. I just passed 100k last December and actually had my warranty done that day which replaced and repaired my struts and Navi system all covered in the warranty

2) its a certified pre-owned

I know alternators lasts after the 100k miles, I didnt know it was this early..

 

I have a 2004, and my alternator just went about 2-3 months ago. I would think this might be more of a function of time rather than actual mileage, but I could be offbase.

Similar to the OP, I experienced the noise under the hood (more of a whine than anything). Pretty cheap fix (around $250 at my local acura dealer).\

Edit - I was at 88K when the alternator went.

 

Thanks everyone for the input!
But fortunately I just recovered the car.
Called alot of individual mechanics and charged me about $450+ for labor and part that was aftermarket..
Called the dealer and charged me only $345(parts and labor). Rounded off close to $500 bc of towing charges.
But im pleased of the outcome. Though it took a piece of an arm with my college budget, the self presence that the dealership replaced the alternator with no worries in the future long haul was worth it. The whirring sound is gone!! and Brand New Denso alternator!


Now to change the sparkplugs. Any tips on the sparkplugs?

 

Yeah the alternators are not cheap from Honda/Acura. Although it you had the time, they are fairly easy to replace (although haven't had to do it on my TSX yet).