When I'm driving the lights and radio dim or go.

Tiny
JEANYALE
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE ALERO
  • 82,000 MILES
When I'm driving the lights and radio dim or go out and the car loses power.I've taken it to a car mechanic and he said the alternator is fine and the battery is good. He can't seem to find anything wrong. The car continues to do the same thing. Any suggestions of what is wrong?
Tuesday, March 26th, 2013 AT 9:33 PM

1 Reply

Tiny
CARADIODOC
  • MECHANIC
  • 33,874 POSTS
The generator has to be tested while the problem is occurring and it needs a professional load-test. If one of the six internal diodes fails the unit will only develop exactly one third of its rated output current, but a simple and quick voltage test will show it's fine.

These generators have an extremely high failure rate due to their design. They develop very high voltage spikes that destroy the diodes, the voltage regulator, and can interfere with computer sensor signals. To reduce the number of repeat failures replace the battery at the same time unless it is less than about two years old. As they age they lose their ability to dampen and absorb those spikes.
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Tuesday, March 26th, 2013 AT 9:50 PM

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