1995 buck riviera please help!

[Alexr757]

Hello everyone i have a 1995 buck riviera with 80,000 miles. it recently started to feel like it was losing a lot of power at the same time my low coolant light came on. As well as low oil light and abs light. they flash off and on when it acts up. Also at the same time the ac and heat head unit lost complete power. this was happening off and on for a day. i brought it to a mechanic and he told me it was completely fine. i drove about 12 miles and the same thing happens. i turned around and headed back to the shop. As I went another 4 miles it shot up to 280 degrees and over heated and killed right when i got to the parking lot. all of these symptoms seem to be related as the car will be completely fine one minuet and the next min ALL of these problems arise.. the car is basically new. any thoughts???

[Stealthee]

Could be a faulty battery, charging system. All sorts of funky things can happen when you don't have proper voltage.

[Alexr757]

I have a brand new radiator in it as well as a alternator and battery.. Every time I bring it in they tell me it's fine and they have no idea. It does this off and on and it usually happens from the beginning when first started.. Then sometimes you shut it off and it's fine for a while.

[Stealthee]

Faulty ignition switch can cause issues as well.

[Alexr757]

My mechanic thinks the thermostat is going out.. Agree or does this sound more electrical?

[Tech II]

Have you done anything about the low coolant situation?

Are you still losing coolant and is the low coolant light still coming on? This would cause the coolant temp to jump to 280....if not fixed right away, it can cause major engine problems......

Your car may be basically new to you, but it is over 20 years old.....it does sound like you have multiple problems....

[harleyguy]

First is your coolant full. Also when your gauge sit it was overheating did the shop confirm that any other way than looking at the gauge? To me it all sounds like a big electrical problem. It was suggested before I would look at the ignition switch.

[Stealthee]

I think your "mechanic" is an idiot. If it were just a faulty thermostat you'd either be overheating, or not getting hot enough. You have multiple issues going on. A low coolant light, low oil, abs light as well as the HVAC acting up all point to an electrical issue.

Since you stated your alternator and battery are both new the ignition switch is the next logical step.

[Alexr757]

I'm with you on the ignition switch. I'm going to do some more digging thanks for all the info!

[Alexr757]

There are no leaks and the coolant level is normal.

[Alexr757]

Thanks everyone all of the problems are gone after I replaced the ignition switch!