The Living Dead

[Greig8]

My 1990 Buick Lesabre Limited Coupe died on me today. When i got in to leave the battery light was on but I was informed that it would recharge and that it was on because I hadn't driven it all week. While I was on the highway the car seemed to shut off. I kept tapping the gas and the tachometer would jump slightly.I eventually coasted off the road and then it started back up and i drove a little farther. I finally decided to try to drive it home. I eneded up having to stop at a red light and then when i went to take off the car barely lurched through the intersection. I made it off the road and called a tow truck. The battery is new less than 6 months. The car was purchased from an old lady who barely drove it and kept it in her garage every night she owned it. There were some mouse droppings inside the tail light - could the mice have chewed my wires? Everyone is telling me its the alternator. Any ideas?
David

[avatar307]

If the previous owner got some bad gas (i.e. full of water) that could lead to big problems since she never drove it. The gas just sitting in the tank would lead to corrosion. That rust, etc gets sucked up by the fuel pump and at the very least cloggs the fuel filter. Sometimes it will ruin the fuel pump.

The gas tank had to be replaced on my 1995 because of this problem. The car was previously my grandparents, and was only driven when they were leaving town. 6 months after we got it, the tank and pump were replaced as we had changed the fuel filter 3 times in a month. Thankfully, I think the car was still under the extended warrenty at that time (as the dealer did the work).

Anyway... it's something to consider.

[Greig8]

Thanks for the information but the problem ended up being my alternator. The garage that i took the car to was able to replace the alternator in just a couple of days and i was back on the road. They apparently had one in stock. The total cost was $170.