Instrument cluster goes nuts and car wont start

[pp270]

On the way home the instrument gauges start bouncing around, and then the car dies and won't restart. Battery is at 14v and jump charge with charger won't turn over. Passlock has been bypassed. Checked bypass and still intact.

Any ideas?

[Tech II]

Does the car crank and not start, or it doesn't crank at all?

If it cranks but doesn't start, have you checked fuel pressure? Have you checked for spark?

Which engine?

Try spraying carb cleaner into intake while cranking....if it almost starts or starts as long as you spray, you have a fuel delivery problem....either no fuel pressure or the injectors are not firing(possible SECURITY problem).....

Check for codes?

[pp270]

No cranking. The instrument panel is just dead - no lights. Like it lost power.

I put the battery on a charger for a while last night and then it turned over. Tried it this morning and still works. This leads me to believe its the alternator so I will try changing that tonight.

What I don't understand is why the guages starting going nuts while driving and then the car dies. Would this occur if it was starting to loose power from a bad alternator?

[Tech II]

Absolutely.....if the alternator wasn't charging(the RED bat symbol should have been on), it was running on the battery....when voltage reaches 9.7 volts, the PCM(computer), is Kaput!