this is weird...electrical

[UPSIDE-DOWN-FACE]

i was driving down the highway yesterday and suddenly my check engine light came on and my AMP gauge and my after market TACH. started flickering back and fourth wildly. i had my radio turned up loud and it shut off. it continued to drive just fine. when i got to where i was going i shut it off and tried to start it again and nothing. no power at all. i jumped it and it started fine. but still had the flickering issue. drove it home, shut it off and tried to start it...nothing, no power at all. what could be causing this?

'90 2.5 T1 spirit

any help is appreciated.

thanks
kyle

[badandy]

Have you checked to see if your alternator has any output?

[RoadWarrior222]

Check your grounds.

[UPSIDE-DOWN-FACE]

well the alternator kept the batter charged while driving. ill check the grounds.

[Orangetona]

Itll stay running while you are driving even if the alternator isnt putting out. Its when you get to the lower rpms itll start trying to die.

[UPSIDE-DOWN-FACE]

it will sit and idle just fine. but it does seem like an alternator problem doesnt it?

[RoadWarrior222]

Yeah if the grounds are good, I'd be looking into the regulator, one or more diodes blown or shorted probably.

[JeremyL]

Check grounds, fusible links, charge & load test the battery, and verify the alternator is working correctly. It could be any number of problems.

The car will run without the alternator working correctly as long as there's enough juice in the battery to keep everything going. Voltage should be around 13.5 - 14.5 volts with the car running, and if you've got a good meter you can see if there's any excessive AC ripple in the output which would indicate blown diodes.

[UPSIDE-DOWN-FACE]

the amp gauge stays about 3/4 charged. it just jumps around a lot but stays aroung 3/4.

[deuce dodge]

have someone wiggle yur wires and see if the guages flicker.....try dielectric grease....and add a few grounds......

problem might be in the wires coming from alt. i would suspect them first

oh and a part time battery might fool ya flip on your brights when problem starts and see what ya got

good luck

if ya dont have it by tues night give me a shout.

deuce

[JeremyL]

I agree on checking the wires at the alternator, and where the plugs are on the computer since the regulator is built into it. I'd also verify the charging with a meter or volt gauge, those dash gauges aren't always accurate.

[zin]

First thing I'll say is a +1 to the checking of the wires/grounds (especially grounds) and fusible links.
Next, I'd suggest taking the battery in for testing/charging, if for no other reason than to eliminated it as the problem, plus it's one of the easiest things you can do. Next would be to take the alternator in and have it checked. I'm not super familiar with the 90+ cars, but I believe they still have the voltage regulator built into the computer, so if it's a regulator issue, I think that will mean a new SBEC. I don't know of a way to check the status of a SMEC (or any other comp. controlled voltage reg), other than eliminating the other possible players (as mentioned above). If anyone does know, I'd love to hear about it.
The fluctuating ampmeter kinda makes me think diodes, especially since it happened all of a sudden, while under a load and if the weather is anything like it is here right now, very hot, all things that will strain those little guys.

Hope this helps!

Mike

[UPSIDE-DOWN-FACE]

got ready to get dirty today....i started easy...clean the terminals...works great now. go figure. i appreciate all the quick responses. thanks guys!

kyle

[deuce dodge]

well if yur so ready to get dirty ...the "motorxploder" just tossed his motor again he thinks bring wrenches an we vcan have a party

[j4278h]

so sandy briggs you gonna wear your blue dress to the strip this friday and actually run it?

i have a garrett swingvalve for you

[j4278h]

what happend to the omni now?

[gkcooper]

+1 on bad ground

Check your grounds.

[UPSIDE-DOWN-FACE]

you still gunna spot the other parts? if so i will do the swap this weekend and be ready for the next! i herd you went on a meltdown last friday. sucks about the R/T.

[j4278h]

nope just miffed my first run and decided it would be more fun to help richard get his van moving