charging system malfunction

1998 CHEVROLET CAVALIER
225,000 MILES
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TJSK8BOARDZ
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When i start my car and turn on some of my acessories (lights, radio etc) the car will start to lose power. When I turn everything off it will keep running. But when I keep it running for a few minutes with all acessories off the entire dashboard stops working ( speedometer, rpm gauge, temp gauge etc including my running lights, signal lights) then when I turn my headlights on and off the dashboard fickers. But the strangest part is, is that I can still drive it, none of my lights work but it will keep running until I turn it off then it won't start back up again. Its very strange, I tried changing the alternator and battery but apparently that wasn't the problem. I hope you understand what I'm talking about,
Apr 5, 2012 at 1:33 PM
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FIXITMR
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any electrical related modifications to stock wiring/accesories? when did this start happening?
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:06 PM
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TJSK8BOARDZ
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Just recently, I also forgot to mention that when I boost the car and leave the jumper cables on the car is fine everything works
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:10 PM
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FIXITMR
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how do you restart it?
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:10 PM
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TJSK8BOARDZ
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It will start a few times after the boost but then the battery is dead then I boost it again
Apr 5, 2012 at 2:13 PM
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FIXITMR
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test voltage at battery when car is running with things off and then on.
Apr 7, 2012 at 9:29 AM
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TJSK8BOARDZ
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Voltage at battery with things off was 5.2 volts, but when I turned my headlighjts on the car shut off.
Apr 7, 2012 at 12:40 PM
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FIXITMR
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you mean 15.2 ? car wont start with 5.2
Apr 7, 2012 at 1:00 PM
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TJSK8BOARDZ
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I boosted it and measured the voltage while it was running without the jumper cables on and it was 5.2 volts
Apr 7, 2012 at 1:02 PM
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TJSK8BOARDZ
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Then after the car shut off I measured it again and it was at 7.9 volts
Apr 7, 2012 at 1:03 PM
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FIXITMR
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dont make sense. is it a new battery?
Apr 9, 2012 at 10:50 AM
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TJSK8BOARDZ
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Yup, brand new interstate
Apr 9, 2012 at 10:54 AM
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FIXITMR
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,989 POSTS
disconnect battery and take reading at posts.
Apr 9, 2012 at 12:03 PM
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TJSK8BOARDZ
  • MEMBER
  • 12 POSTS
Its at 8 volts
Apr 12, 2012 at 8:21 AM
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FIXITMR
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 9,989 POSTS
get batt charged ad recheck voltage at posts with car running. should be 14v+. if only 12+ then alternator is not putting charge to battery and it dies.
Apr 14, 2012 at 12:11 PM
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