Electrical problem by Gloriakz

[LMP]

Originally Posted by gloriakz

Hope someone can offer some insight. I have a 93 lumina van that is having some major electrical issues. The van starts and charges when the engine is cool, but, when it warms up and indicates hot (red lining) on the gage it stops charging this takes about 10 min to occur at which point it starts to backfire you have to wait about 20 mins for it to cool down enought to start charging and repeat the whole thing again if you don't it just won't start without a boost. Test shows that it is not overheating that when diagnostic is done it returned with a MAS sensor problem that was changed, along with the alternator, various cables and wires. It is driving my husband absolutely nuts! By the way, it all started with the fact that my fan wasn't coming on, that works now but it still indicates hot when the fan is kicks in. This has been happening since winter which is below 20 degrees here in canada so I dunno, any ideas????
Thanks guys

There seem to be numerous symptoms here. First take a voltage measurement: I dunno if you have a multimeter, but at Canadian Tire you can have one at $10; there is strong indication here that you are running under voltage, hence false indications and misfires.
Check wiring to the alternator. What was the reason you changed the alternator in the first place? I think I understand it was because of the "FAN was not coming on"....Please be more precise. Problems with ground wires are common but we need more info to proceed with more tests. DId you keep the "old" alternator?
I do not like the idea it runs the temp needle into the red....there can be other issues associated with that. Please indicate engine type. You wrote "MAS" sensor...did you mean MAF sensor (Mass Air FLow 3.8) or MAP sensor (Manifold Absolute Pressure 3.1) ?

[LMP]

By the way, I guess North Bay is back to more clement temperature now, just as here in Chicoutimi...
Notice that temp gauge needle and computer use two different temperature sensors, so one can go haywire independently from the other, or they can respond differently to voltage variations or ground faults. Waiting for more input before hinting on specific issue.
ALso, I suppose the code you mentioned was "34" ? did you pull the codes youself? If not you can do it using this:
www.avigex.ca/xport/readingcodes.jpg

[gloriakz]

Drat!! I had a whole lot of reply written back to you, and it didn't let me post it!! (new user not sure what I am doing here) anyway I don't have time to re-write it all right now. I will tell you that I did mean MAP sensor, and that he has now gone out to change the cables on the van. I will let you know whether or not that helps.
Thanks for the quick reply, and by the way where the heck is Chicoutimi..???
Thanks again,
Gloria

[LMP]

OK..so, having a MAP sensor, this is a 3.1. I do not want to cry wolf too soon, but the 3.1 is reknown for blown head gaskets, almost a "when" rather than an "if" : overheating, erratic temperature needle, random heat available from the heater, random run of the fans, steaming are all signs to look for. I just wish it is just an electrical problem.

Look on a map, 200km straight north of QUebec City...may be labelled as Saguenay, now that Chicoutimi has been merged with several neighbouring towns (Jonquiere, LaBaie).

[gloriakz]

Yeah, we have gone through that before, blown head gasket. But, no it is for sure electrical, no steam and it really isn't overheating. The indicator just says it is. When you use a temp probe it reads between 170-194 degrees. The fan kicks in at 214 so.....anyway he changed the cables and an unmentionable amout of wires and it seems to be doing ok right now. He must of lucked out! haha. Anyway thanks again for all you help, it is hard to do via email. i appreciate it.
regards,
Gloria