%%$$####@! Gremlins

[gwbutler]

RE: Yikes!...A solid 16V (last week's post)

Hello all,

Many thanks to the listers who responded to my request for help when my son's
88 5ksq's charging system was putting out a solid 16 volts.  I replaced the
voltage regulator and now we're back to a solid 15 volts...however;

There has been a relatively constant light on on the dash.  It's the indicator
for the "check front brake pads (which BTW are almost brand-new.)  Since I've
replaced the voltage regulator this particular indicator dims radically when I
turn on the headlights... and I have no idea of where to look for a bad
ground.

I removed the alternator, brought it to a local shop to be tested under load
owner/technician tested it in front of me for a good ten minutes... he
reported that although there was a tiny current/voltage fluctuation once the
diodes "heated-up" that the unit was fine and "very strong"... but that I'd
have to find the bad ground before he'd even think about putting in new diodes
(he actually said "this thing could probably last another five years without
doing anyhting to it").

So,

I replaced a corroding grand strap that ran between the firewall and the block
(via one of the studs on the valve cover.) I also repaired the corroding spade
connectors running to the starter (red/black). I then took the car on a
twenty-five minute test drive on the highway...no additional problems!  I gave
the car back to my son last night.

While I was writing this message I received a call from my son (in the 88
5ksq) on the highway on his way to work and he noticed that there was a 4-5
second delay between the time he put his directional on until the blinker
actually started to work, and that the "battery voltage too high or too low"
indicator "
had returned" and that the engine was still running fine.  Ten minutes later I
received another...frantic...call from him saying that his car had died on the
Mass Turnpike...five miles from his exit.  He called a third time saying that
the car had started...'got up to 70MPH, ....and died again.  I'm beside myself
trying to figure out what's wrong with this ####@@!!!&& thing.  Any ideas? TIA

George B.
Massachusetts