1997 Plymouth Breeze lost power

ISLALOVER

MEMBER
1997 PLYMOUTH BREEZE
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
213,000 MILES

To begin with the battery light would come on-it would within 15 miles be dead-but by letting it set for a few hours the car would start and drive fine-this continued to happen on and off for a couple months. The last time the battery light and check engine light came on-i was driving at about 50mph and it lost power then died now wont jump start.

Tuesday, January 12th, 2010 AT 6:06 AM

1 Reply

CARADIODOC

MECHANIC
34,330 POSTS

Intermittent charging problems on high mileage cars is usually caused by worn brushes in the alternator. They can be replaced separately, often without removing the alternator from the engine, but most people just replace the entire alternator.

If you can catch it while the problem is acting up, measure the voltage on the two small terminals on the back of the alternator. One must have full battery voltage, but it will only be there for two seconds after turning the ignition switch on, and again when the engine is running. The second terminal should have less than battery voltage, but not 0 volts. 4 - 10 volts is typical. If you find 0 volts while the engine is running, the brushes are worn.

Remember, it is normal and proper to have 0 volts on both terminals when the ignition switch is on but the engine is not running.

Caradiodoc

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Wednesday, January 13th, 2010 AT 2:57 AM