98 Malibu

[darlea]

I have a 98 Mailbu with about 150,000 miles. It run good but once in a while it just loses power. By that, I mean the dash lights all come on and the car actually dies for maybe 4 or 5 seconds and than the dash lights go off and it runs fine again. Any clues?

[HyperFox]

Could be a bad ground. Perhaps a dying regulator, weak battery.

[Negatoro]

Please be more specific.
Dash lights?
Car dies = Motor shuts off?

-Mark T.

[darlea]

ok. i noticed when i first start the car the theft system light stays on. if i drive off with that light on, the car eventally dies but restarts again. if the the theft light system light comes on when i start the car and i turn it off and restart the car and the light doesn't come on, the car doesn't die. every once in a while the battery light will stay on once the car is running. but if i turn the car off and restart, the battery light goes off....any clues or suggestions?

[Negatoro]

Inspect all Charging system connections and clean/replace if necessary.

Batt+ terminal
Batt+ cables and connections [underhood junction box/starter]
Starter+ cable to Alt+ and Alt stud.

Batt ground terminal
Batt to engine/chassis ground cables and connections.

My guess is bad ground. That could easily cause intermittant Batt light.

Then write back.

-Mark T.