1992 Plymouth Acclaim Lossing Power

1992 PLYMOUTH ACCLAIM
200,000 MILES • 4 CYL • FWD • AUTOMATIC
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TAPPEE
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While driving I all of my internal light dim until they lose power. My headlights dim, and I lose full power to my breaklights and signal lights. Eventually my spedometer stop working too.

If I stop I get power back but then slowly lose it again over about ten minutes
Feb 13, 2010 at 8:52 PM
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CARADIODOC
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It sounds like your charging system is quitting. First, be sure the belt isn't loose. If you can catch it while it's acting up, measure the voltage across the two battery terminals while the engine is running. It must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts. If it's low, measure the two voltages on the two small terminals on the back of the alternator. One must have full battery voltage. The other one should have less, typically somewhere between 4 and 11 volts. It must not have 0 volts. If it does have 0 volts, the brushes are worn. They can be replaced, but most people just replace the entire alternator.

Those voltages must be measured with the engine running. There will be 0 volts on both wires when the engine is not running.

caradiodoc
Feb 17, 2010 at 4:24 AM
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