Alternator/generator/regulator problems of the 2001 Honda Civic

An electrical burning smell while driving approx 45 mph turned out to be the master power window regulator and the fuse. I have read several forums online stating the same issues, but no one knows the cause. Very scary.

We were driving around running errands on a 75 degree weather. We were on the road when the car just all of a sudden downshifted. The engine light came on. So, we went to mcdonalds to let the car cool down, lifting the hood. An advanced auto zone was right across the street. After a bit, we took it over, therer. They tested it and said it wasn't the engine at all; battery, alternator, etc. They then told us to take it the auto parts store and have them test it with their tools because they didn't have the correct tool needed to do the particular test needed done. So, we limped the car down the road. We explained the problem, they got their computer tester out and came up with several different codes. The funny thing is, after about 1/2 an hour, after the codes were tested, the engine light went off. We called our mechanic and got an appointment for him to test it and see what was going on. He found a used emc computer chip/component and replaced the old one. When we got the car back, we heard this awful noise that we hadn't heard. We were told it was the exhaust manifold, that it would be noisy and would get worse over time. Now, we can't drive it too far without it downshifting. The hot air just gets to it. We are on a very fixed income. This is my husband's car. He is disabled. All we have is his disability. We also have 3 1/2 year old son. I don't feel safe driving it with my son in the car because it has been hot over the summer we can't run the a/c because that just exacerbates the situation. I think there should be a recall because my husband bought this car because he thought it was a reliable car. We have spoken to the Honda dealer about it. They don't seem to care. We have had to use my '97 pontiac grand am. It has had issues too. Our mechanic said there has been no recall as of yet. We have called junk yards and looked on line. Who can afford something like this? well, his sister had the same issue with hers.

Windows regulator burnt out while driving car. No sign of moisture or anything. Low quality switch.

I own a 2001 Honda Civic lx. I purchased the vehicle overseas from a civilian employee of the united states army. This person had purchased the vehicle from the original owner. On or about 12 July 2009 my wife and I were in the vehicle when I noticed the distinct odor of an electrical short coming from the steering column. The next day, my wife saw puffs of smoke coming from the steering column and a much stronger odor associated with an electrical short. The problem was diagnosed by a local garage in schertz, TX and exactly matches the symptoms of the following recall Feb 24, 2004 | recall id# 75776. The complaint goes beyond the initial electrical problem as my wife attempted to bring this to the attention of both a local Honda dealer, gilman Honda in selma, TX and to Honda. Com via their customer service hotline. Both entities stated words to the affect of "that VIN doesn't exist. " through investigation, we discovered that Honda dropped the VIN once the vehicle shipped overseas as part of the military new car sales program. Neither entity, either the local dealer or Honda USA made any attempt to resolve this very serious safety matter. This is a potential problem for any military service member that purchases an american car while stationed overseas and needs some regulatory agency to mandate a fix.