Odd electrical headache

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Dec 16, 2011 | 06:12 PM

lotusing

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From: New Jersey

Odd electrical headache

My 91 has been running great for years. Now every once in a while the warning lights would come on but kept running well. This has happened this past week a few times and now all of a sudden I was driving on the highway and all the warning lights when on again but this time the car just died on me. I tried to restart and it but was dead. I automatically thought alternator. Had the car towed home. The next day I jumped it and it started with no problem and I have no warning lights on and it is now driving fine. I have only drove around the corner because I was afraid to get stranded. Any ideas?

Dec 16, 2011 | 06:59 PM

PureDrifter

BahHumBug

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From: California

alternator, battery, grounds.

Dec 16, 2011 | 08:48 PM

emarknot

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From: az

How old is the battery? It could be bad. If it tests good or is new..its most likely the alternator

Dec 16, 2011 | 08:51 PM

GS4_Fiend

Lexus Test Driver

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If the battery connections are loose, this would cause this problem. For example, corrosion eats up the battery terminal and becomes thin, which causes loose connection. If battery connections are good then get ur charging system checked out.

Dec 17, 2011 | 11:35 AM

lotusing

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From: New Jersey

I just got a little more info. I power steering is leaking oil somewhere(have not checked yet) and I just thought of a culprit and wanted to run buy everyone. If the power steering pump is leaking on the alternator when it is running,I am thinking that it is leaking all over the alternator and stopping it from working. When the oil dries off the alt will work again. If the car is at idle and not driving far there isn't much oil leaking so it would run ok but on a long run it is leaking more hence soaking the alt and stopping it from working. Does this make any sense?
Thanks for the help!

Dec 17, 2011 | 04:22 PM

denverdog

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there are at least 25 threads discussing this. search.

Dec 18, 2011 | 03:17 PM

lotusing

Thread Starter

Driver School Candidate

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 23

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From: New Jersey

Thanks for the replies. I finally got the car back and I have looked at all the posts. They where very helpfull. The problem I didnt see was that after the car sits overnight the car starts, runs perfect and no lights are on. I needs to run for a little while for it to give me problems.