Car shut off while driving at highway speed

Tiny
COLESAR
  • MEMBER
  • 2000 OLDSMOBILE INTRIGUE
  • 3.5L
  • 6 CYL
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 200,000 MILES
While driving I noticed dash lights becoming a bit dimmer until they became very dim and shut off, car kept running for a couple miles yet before losing all power. Changed the battery, now starts and runs fine, but radio is dark and auto headlights don't turn on. They work manually though.
Sunday, September 29th, 2019 AT 9:40 PM

5 Replies

Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,303 POSTS
Hello,

It sounds like you had a voltage surge when the new battery was connected and popped a fuse. here is a guide to help you check with the fuse locations:

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-fuse

Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Tuesday, October 1st, 2019 AT 1:15 PM
Tiny
COLESAR
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
Is it possible its the alternator? And also, upon changing battery, all gauges are inactive as well as digital odometer, plus power windows and radio wont work unless key is in the acc position. When car is running many of the accessories are unavailable.
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Tuesday, October 1st, 2019 AT 3:36 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,303 POSTS
The alternator will not cause these accessories to stop working how are the fuses?
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Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019 AT 10:18 AM
Tiny
COLESAR
  • MEMBER
  • 3 POSTS
All the fuses were seemingly fine, upon recharging up the battery, all those earlier mentioned accessories suddenly worked again, multimeter reads around 12.7 on battery without engine running and jumps to 14.2 ish with it running so alternator seems to be doing its job, is ignition switch a possibility? I thought I remember hearing something about a recall on the intrigue on the ignition switch
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Wednesday, October 2nd, 2019 AT 10:24 AM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 50,303 POSTS
Yes, the ignition switch can cause this issue. Here is how to replace it. Check out the diagrams (below). Please let us know what happens.
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Thursday, October 3rd, 2019 AT 11:13 AM

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