Voltage light stays on runs high car dies while driving wont stay running check engine light goes on and off

Tiny
CKULCZAR
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 BUICK PARK AVENUE
  • 184,000 MILES
Have replacd brian fuel pump sensors
Sunday, December 4th, 2011 AT 8:33 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,743 POSTS
By "brain", do you mean the Engine Computer? That and the fuel pump have nothing to do with the charging system. Start by measuring the battery voltage with the engine running. It must be between 13.75 and 14.75 volts and you must do this test while the warning light is on indicating the problem is occurring. If the voltage is low, suspect the generator. Due to its design, it is a very high-failure item. To prevent repeat failures, the battery must be replaced at the same time. As they age, they lose their ability to dampen and absorb the huge voltage spikes these generators produce. Those spikes can destroy the internal voltage regulator and diodes, leading to another failure, and they can interfere with sensor signals for the many other computers on the car. The old battery will work fine in a 1986 or older car with the much better generator design.
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Sunday, December 4th, 2011 AT 8:44 PM

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