My car seems to lose power while driving, It only lasts for a second at most but the gauges will die, the radio will cut out, and any dash lights will turn off except for some reason the ABS and Brake Warning Light will turn on during this short second. I haven't really found any certain circumstances that cause this, it just seems completely random. The engine remains on and the headlights. I had this happen at idle only once and the engine seemed fine from what I could hear, it didn't seem to get weak or near stalling but the RPM gauge did drop.

Recently I went out to eat but when we got back to the car I went to start it up and nothing happened, the stereo was on, headlights, the usual dash lights, and I could hear the fuel pump turning on. I turned the stereo+headlights off and the car started right up. Later I checked the battery which was perfectly fine. I'm thinking it may be the alternator but I don't know since it runs just fine when the "power outage" does happen, but also since the battery seems fine it should have started. The car also has a good idle and I've never seen the headlights dim so far.

Can't do any tests at the moment since it's almost midnight but I need any suggestions that I can possibly use tomorrow when I'm looking at it.

I know the alternator test where you turn the car on and unplug the Neg battery cable (Correct me if I'm wrong, it may be the Positive, I can't remember) and if the engine dies the alternators bad but I heard it's not the best test.....

 

checc your battery first

 

Best way to find out is go to Kragen or Autozone have them test it for you.

Do you have any sort of aftermarket stereo hooked up?

 

check the alternator, batter x2 also check the belt tension maybe its sliping or just old and worn out, if those all pass check sp/alternator fuse.( under the dash, 7.5amp)

 

Remember that if take to auotparts store and they test it, don't buy a alternater until you take it off and test inside on machine. When I worked there I seen so many people buy them on spot(after I said to take off first and test) and bring in core to find out it is still good. Probably, 1 outa 3 times they just needed battery cables or something was loose.

 

Alright, I got around to do some tests today.

Battery is 12.75v, car off.
Battery at 14.30v, idle(No accessories on).
Battery at 14.37v, 2,000 Rev(Full electrical load).
Full electrical load is 12.76v(Normal idle speed).

Also disconnected battery with car at normal idle, didn't die.
Did test again with full electrical load, car didn't die again.

All I can think of is something may be loose somewhere and causes this if I hit a bump. Everything seems normal to me though so I dunno.....

1995 Ex btw.

 

Yeah, I do

 

What size amp? Might need to buy and hook up a energy cell to store a little extra power, if you don't already have one.

Chris

 

i would check out the stereo for sure and any new wiring that has been done in your car.
if it was your alternator your car wouldnt have started back up after doing this bc the batter would have been almost dead. has to be a short somewhere. this is a stretch but do you have any lights out?

 

Just an aftermarket stereo, no amp yet.

All the lights are good, none out at the moment.

I guess I'll take a look at the stereo wiring when I have a day or two to spare, if it's all normal there then I dunno.

 

check your battery cables and make sure youre not getting a short of some sort and that they are bolted down tight

 

and check to make sure they are clean and have no corrosion.