Car dies, can't figure whats wrong

[bungea]

I have a 95 bonneville se with 164000. I start the car, it fires up and then 4 seconds later my check gages light comes on and i notice my battery gauge fluctuates from about 12 to red line. If i rev it up when i start its fine. I can't figure out what the problem is. Please HELP!!!

[maxwedge]

Have the alternator checked for loaded charging rate.

[bungea]

the alternator is just a year old is that really a possible problem then

[Jrs3800]

Its is a possibility... If you got the alternator from the parts store Like Autozone or Advance, then chances are the Alt is junk... The alternator on these cars is very picky...

[bungea]

ok so i notice that this problem happens in the morning. I don't believe its the alternator cuz once reved up high enough for a while it runs and an alternator would make it die and not continue providing a charge. Also when i put on teh brakes my car wants to stall out and die. I need help.

[wlkjr]

Originally Posted by bungea

ok so i notice that this problem happens in the morning. I don't believe its the alternator cuz once reved up high enough for a while it runs and an alternator would make it die and not continue providing a charge. Also when i put on teh brakes my car wants to stall out and die. I need help.

You don't think it's the alternator, but you really don't know. It's the easiest to check and a good starting point.

[HotZ28]

This could be corroded positive or negative battery cables.

NOTE: If you have auto climate control and before disconnecting the negative battery cable, start the engine and turn the A/C controller to OFF! Wait while the system resets to the OFF or (home) position! (You will here the system shut down) Next, turn ignition switch OFF, then remove the negative battery cable & then the positive cable!

Notice on the positive side, there are two large cables mounted piggyback with a spacer in between. Remove the rubber insulation to expose both cables and the spacer, and then check for corrosion between the two sides. In addition, look at the cables to see if you have corrosion inside the wire. If you find any corrosion, use a 50-50 mix of water and sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) with a brass brush to clean everything and then apply dielectric grease on all sides before reassembly. If the wire (cable) appears corroded, you may need to cut back the cable until you see clean wiring inside & install new terminals. BTW, the electrical system is powered by the battery, not the alternator. You should still have a warranty on the alternator if it is not charging properly. Remove it from the car and have it tested at the store where you bought it.

[Jrs3800]

I agree with HotZ28...

Make sure you check and clean the Positive Battery cable as this is always a bad corrosion point for GM cars and trucks.. This can cause electrical issues and stalling if its worse enough... If you find the terminal is clean, then have the Alternator checked..

Both the Battery cable and Alternator are checks that will cost you nothing

[bungea]

HaD alternator checked, works fine battery is spitting out 13 volts and no corrosion

[Jrs3800]

Please don't take this the wrong way.... Just because the Alt is putting out 13v doesn't mean its putting out the Amperage it should...

I went through 4 Plladium( spelling ) Alts with a Lifetime warranty... First one left me stranded 35 miles from home as the car was as dead as a door nail when I got back to it...

2nd one, just would hold up the voltage and wanted to stall out when I hit the brakes... I could watch the Volts drop like a rock and the car would then be running off the battery...

3rd one would charge 13v one minute and then run off the battery the next..

4th One had a Front bearing failure...

I got pissed off and made them order an AC Delco unit.... Its been 4 years now without a single issue...

Just keep an eye on what that alternator does, if it continues to give you problems I would demand a replacement unit...

[bungea]

checked my spark plugs, gap was over done, changed them car runs better when warm. still no help on stalling and dieing. there must be a short because it dies whenever i touch the brakes. Had alternator tested at autozone 3 times runs fine. NO clue what to do.

[bungea]

does anyone know here i should start looking for a short. Also noticed that some times when i try to turn my cruise control on the rpms raise from aobut 1900 to 2600 and then check gauges light comes on, take cruise control and its back to good old running. also when teh car doesn't start right away with the problems i first posted, nowi here a static time when the gages come on and a clicking noise sometimes from teh passenger side glove conpartment. I NEED HELP!!! No Clue where to look

[bungea]

car is still acting up, getting easier to start, but just died on me today going 55. tried 3 times to start itup started up on the third time didn't happena gain