1998 Chevrolet Cavalier Repair Question
Topics covered: Battery, Dashboard, Alternator.
Mileage: 225,000 miles.
Mileage: 225,000 miles.
Asked on April 5, 2012
Charging system malfunction
When i start my car and turn on some of my acessories (lights, radio etc) the car will start to lose power. When I turn everything off it will keep running. But when I keep it running for a few minutes with all acessories off the entire dashboard stops working ( speedometer, rpm gauge, temp gauge etc including my running lights, signal lights) then when I turn my headlights on and off the dashboard fickers. But the strangest part is, is that I can still drive it, none of my lights work but it will keep running until I turn it off then it won't start back up again. Its very strange, I tried changing the alternator and battery but apparently that wasn't the problem. I hope you understand what I'm talking about,
Asked by tjsk8boardzAnswer
Replied on April 5, 2012
any electrical related modifications to stock wiring/accesories? when did this start happening?
Replied on April 5, 2012
Just recently, I also forgot to mention that when I boost the car and leave the jumper cables on the car is fine everything works
Replied on April 5, 2012
It will start a few times after the boost but then the battery is dead then I boost it again
Replied on April 7, 2012
test voltage at battery when car is running with things off and then on.
Replied on April 7, 2012
Voltage at battery with things off was 5.2 volts, but when I turned my headlighjts on the car shut off.
Replied on April 7, 2012
you mean 15.2 ? car wont start with 5.2
Replied on April 7, 2012
I boosted it and measured the voltage while it was running without the jumper cables on and it was 5.2 volts
Replied on April 7, 2012
Then after the car shut off I measured it again and it was at 7.9 volts