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1999 Buick Park Avenue Repair Question


Topics covered: Alternator, Starter, Battery.
Mileage: 157,000 miles.

Asked on January 3, 2012

surges seen with lights at night

I notice while driving with the headlights, they will surge brighter and then go dim for no apparent reason. The dash lights also seem to slightly dim too. Tried changing out the starter with no change. Do you have any ideas. Battery seems fine, starts with no hesitation on first crank of key.
Avatar Asked by DMG0808

Answer

Replied on January 3, 2012

Have the charging system checked out-start here

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked
Replied on January 3, 2012

We took it to Auto Zone and the scanner showed nothing wrong with the starter or the battery. No codes came up on their scan-tool.

Tiny Response from DMG0808
4 questions asked
Replied on January 3, 2012

Have the alternator checked

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked

Replied on January 3, 2012

I am sorry, I just noticed I said we changed the starter and had the starter checked. That is incorrect! They checked the alternator and it checked normal but we changed it (the alternator)anyways.

Tiny Response from DMG0808
4 questions asked
Replied on January 3, 2012

Could be the computer controlled circuit of the alternator field generation is malfunctioning

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked
Replied on January 4, 2012

Hi Again,
So in plain lay-man's terms- how do you trouble shoot this or know if it is the Computer-controlled circuit of the alternator field generation...and do you have a diagram,schematic of what you are referring to? I have no idea what all that means. Could you please explain this in further detail? Thank you.

Tiny Response from DMG0808
4 questions asked

Replied on January 4, 2012

See below-you might probably replace the computer if the wiring from the alternator to computer checked-out good

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked
Replied on January 5, 2012

Hi Rasmataz,

See below where? I don't see a diagram or where you are talking about? Could it be a bad ground or corroded wire somewhere? Thanks.

Tiny Response from DMG0808
4 questions asked
Replied on January 5, 2012

One more time on diagram

Tiny Answered by rasmataz
68 questions asked