No electrical power in the car

[Andrew Pawlisz <apawlisz@tufts.edu>]

Hi all,

My 88 5ksq is at it again.  Not only the fuel pump started buzzing but
also the car basically died from a lack of electrical power.

It started yesterday with a slight buck/ hesitation/ misfire at higher
speeds.  It was fine in the morning (even the fuel pump was relatively
quiet) until this afternoon when the bucking/ hesitation/ and misfiring
got progressively worse.  At this time, I received a warning from the
autocheck system that the voltage is low.  Checked the alternator belt
and it was still there.  Proceeded to drive back to work but the going
got increasingly difficult.  I presume that there was less and less
juice to run the ignition and the fuel pump.  Got to work O.K. but
barely so.  At least I can park the car there without a hassle until I
decide what to do next.

I suspect that the voltage regulator or brushes are kaput.  Correct? Or
could it be that the battery just died? But then why would not the car
run with the engine turning the alternator?

Could it be related to the fuel pump (buzzing) shorting out my
electricals and corrupting the whole system?

Does anyone have the part number handy for a voltage regulator?

How long can the car run (all lights/ accessories off) on a single
charge of battery?

Help would be greatly appreciated as I need this vehicle to visit my
parents in Canada this coming weekend.

Andrew, Boston, MA
88 5ksq