96 Olds Regency (98) lost power

[huynh]

Hi all,
I have a 1996 Olds Regency (98) with 149K. The car has run perfectly well until recently. I have driven in and sped up above 55 MPH, then it lost power (the gauge showed 12 volts). I stopped it for a minute and could crank it up again. Then, I drove it for a mile, it lost power again! This happened until I got home, ten miles away and I had to stop about 8-9 times.

I replaced both battery and alternator (Autozone said they were both bad); but the same problem happened. Since the CEL is not on, Autozone could not find any problem; they asked me to take it to a shop. I took it to Master Carcare; they did a electrical system check and total engine check but could not find any problem.

I took it to Goodyear; the guy did the same job and said it was because of bad alternator! He said he had changed alternator 7 times for a car before it was OK. I replaced another new alternator, but the problem was still there.

Please help, or show me if there is any same problem solved somewhere in this forum. Any idea would be greatly appreciated. (Imagine I drive it for a mile, stop for a minute and repeat it any time I drive it!).

[Alibi]

Sounds like you have an electrical component that is overheating. Check the coils and check the crank sensor.

The next time it stalls, dump a bucket of water over the crank sensor (behind the harmonic balancer). If she starts right up afterwards then that is your problem.

As for the coils, try to get in a pitch black garage or a street at night. Run the engine and with a pair of INSULATED pliars, pull the spark plug boots off each coil terminal one at a time. You should be able to see a spark. If no spark or an erratic spark, then you have found a faulty coil.

Any codes? I assume not if you've taken it to a couple shops.

Edit: You did take it to a shop...but the death at 55mph (does it start to stall out and sudder between 55 and 65?) sounds like a bad ICM, ignition control module. Here is a link as to what this is: http://www.thejmfc.com/autos/delcoignition.html

Pull your ICM and take it to autozone to test it. Have them test it several times (multiple tests in a row should heat it up a bit and the odds of it failing at a higher temp is better).

[huynh]

I will do all what you suggested; and will post all the results for all others.
Deeply appreciate it!!!

[huynh]

Hi Alibi,
Autozone does not test the ICM. I think I will check others first to see if I have to replace something else before the ICM (most expensive compared to the coils and crank sensor).
As for the crank sensor; do you mean the crank position sensor (CPS)?