Bonneville Stalls after voltage meter drops

Tiny
JVTRUNKS24
  • MEMBER
  • 2004 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE
  • 3.8L
  • 6 CYL
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 114,000 MILES
My Bonneville stalled on my wife and I thought it might be needing a new battery. Installed it and it ran for about a day and stalled on her again. The voltage meter would drop stuttering the car before the engine dies. I got the alternator tested and passed at autozone. My brother thought it my be the security feature but the security light is not coming on. I had it towed to my house and the next day I started it up again. It ran for about 20 mins until the engine started to reach 200 degrees, the voltage meter read just around 12 then voltage meter started to fluctuate back and forth between the lower red back to around 12 eventually falling all the way to zero stalling the vehicle. When I got the car started again I tested the battery which read around 14 and the alternator also at 14 but the voltage meter still fluctuated around 12 and under.
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014 AT 11:41 AM

4 Replies

Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Check the fusible link going to alternator see pic. It should be same voltage on either side also check the dim fuse under lh rear seat. Then if it continues have it scanned to see if the dim module pointed out in pic is screwing up.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
Forgot the pic sorry
Image (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014 AT 12:04 PM
Tiny
JVTRUNKS24
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The fusible link had the same voltage on either side, the DIM fuse was good and I do not have any error codes at all. Please, do u have anymore more suggestions?
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Wednesday, December 3rd, 2014 AT 5:25 PM
Tiny
HMAC300
  • MECHANIC
  • 48,601 POSTS
The only other thing I can think of is either a problem with the fuse box connection underhood or a serial bus problem which is often called can bus where signals form other things are sent through the same line. Or the module. One other thing is that this car may have what is called an adp pulley on the alternator. It allows the alternator to freewheel and not charge for better fuel mileage. It's lifespan is 60k but I 'm not sure if you have that or not I'm sending a pic of it. Only other thing I can think of is to have it scanned by a pro because his machine will pick up stuff auto parts can't and it could be a bad module like the ones I've pointed out.
Images (Click to make bigger)
Thumb
Thumb
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, December 4th, 2014 AT 7:16 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Related Engine Stall While Driving Content

Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
VIDEO
Is it Safe to Drive Check Engine Light?
Instructional repair video
Engine Stalls While Driving
GUIDE
Engine Stalls While Driving
An engine that stalls while driving and then starts back up again, either immediately or after a short time is different from an engine that just wont start or if the...
VIEW MORE