Charging system failure

Tiny
SHARON ENLOW
  • MEMBER
  • 2005 BUICK TERRAZA
  • 125,000 MILES
I was driving at night and the radio went off, the headlights went out, it felt as if I had no power, but the van didn't die. The charging system failure light came on, also the ABS Service ABS light and the Battery Saver active light came on. I pulled to the side of the road and reved up the engine. I regained power again and drove home.
Next day, it left me stranded and only clicked when I tried to start it.
Replaced the battery and it started. Twice the Charging system failure light has come on at two different times.
I manually turn off the lights so as not to drain the battery while driving.
Could the alternator be bad, just charging intermittingly?
Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 2:42 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Have the alternator load tested to find out if its defective
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 2:49 AM
Tiny
SHARON ENLOW
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
The alternator has been tested along with the battery. Both showed good.
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 3:02 PM
Tiny
RASMATAZ
  • MECHANIC
  • 75,992 POSTS
Both tested good -Have the computer controlled circuit of the alternator field generation checked and tested-double check all connections-
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Sunday, January 1st, 2012 AT 10:05 PM

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