Radio goes out, heat goes out, abs light on, then ALL lights fade

[ivydevine]

Hopefully someone can help me. I was driving home from work 3 days ago, Now I live in Michigan and its freezing right now, but On my way home, had my headlights on, my radio and my heat on. Van ran fine. Went to leave about a half an hour later got less than a block away, the radio went out, my abs light came on, my heater went out my dash lights went dim, my head lights went dim, I pulled back into my driveway and turned it off, van wouldn't start, and started clicking. Old battery so I replaced it. It was fine for 2 days. Yeah, today it is 7 degrees outside I've got the radio on thinking the problem was solved, I get a quarter of a miled from work and my radio goes out, no lights nothing, about a half a mile later the heat kicks out, then the abs light came on, dash got dim. I pull over and call my husband and waited in a store for some 20 to 30 mins. He gets there, Fires the car RIGHT UP with no problem, I drove a good 15 miles home with not one issue, it purres like a kitten, drives awesome. I'm wondering if it might be an electrical issue? None the less can someone please try to help me.

Thank you,

[tempfixit]

What year, engine, mileage.

Have you checked the voltage out put of the alternator at battery? You can do this with a voltmeter by touching each battery post with the voltmeter leads, should be 13.5 volts or better.

Check alternator.
Check battery cables, they will erode internally.
Check all gounds.

[ivydevine]

Battery was checked, read at 14, Its a 99 Villager Estate and is power everything. We did have the terminals replaced because those were in some bad shape. See I thought for sure it was the battery because it was the origional stock battery *scary thought* And the car only has 92,000 miles on it
Thank you!!!
The grounds haven't been checked yet, Its been so cold, And I have no garage But those will be checked soon, I just hope it is not an electrical problem.

[tempfixit]

Originally Posted by ivydevine

Battery was checked, read at 14, Its a 99 Villager Estate and is power everything. We did have the terminals replaced because those were in some bad shape. See I thought for sure it was the battery because it was the origional stock battery *scary thought* And the car only has 92,000 miles on it
Thank you!!!
The grounds haven't been checked yet, Its been so cold, And I have no garage But those will be checked soon, I just hope it is not an electrical problem.

You say the (terminals were replaced), do you mean that the battery cable ends were replaced? If just the ends were replaced take a look at the cable itself by peeling some of the insulation of the cables and look for corrision. Has the alternator belt and pulley been inspected for wear and proper tension?
What is the battery voltage with out engine running? (Should be 12.6 volts) IF not then either alternator is not charging the battery properly because of faulty diodes or voltage regulator in the alternator, again possible bad battery cables not allowing full voltage to battery. Also check all connections on the alternator for looseness or corrision.

Let us know what you find with the grounds.

Hope this helps