HELP! The wagon is down!

???....Cruisin'....My original post beginning with "Geeze.." was directed at Normy. Normy is a stellar researcher and info finder. He posted tons of info that, in my opinion, was not necessary for this problem. I admire and thank Normy for all the help he has given this forum and its members. With that said...I simply don't think sending 4wag around to alt test sites was/is necessary at this point. It could serve to confuse 4wag when the solution is a simple one.

 

You're right Mike. Too much info can take the guy off his mission. I misdirected him with that Battery-Off test, for his 88 Buick. Don't know a darn thing about integrated Alternator/Regulator circuits either like his, so I figured the extra info might help, him or the next guy. Sorry for the overload.

 

Never any reason to apologize for jumping in to help someone, Normy. I was just trying to use the kiss approach. I know when I ask a question online I want the simplest answer I can get. One can get easily confused with too much info and with too much technicality. That's all I was saying. I was in no way denigrating you or your help. As stated....you are a plethora of info and it is always appreciated.

 

So, using KISS it appears to me that he's loosing power to both the ignition system and the various sub-systems e.g. dash, radio, headlights etc.

It sure sounds like something simple.


I've had this happen on my 85 Cougar. Intermittent but same symptoms.


IGNITION SWITCH!!!! Not the key/lock but the actual ignition switch that the wiring goes to. If it is do not park the car inside a garage or any other building.

 

Could very well be that, TB. It was my first thought. It was not unheard of on those models. But with the accident & all I just thought that the wiring would be the place to start and then proceed to specific parts areas. Your suggestion does have a lot of merit.

 

Oh my! Never occurred to me to check that. I've got a brand new one too.

 

Don't just go out and buy a new one but check it out. If it's anything like a Ford ignition switch it can get pretty sloppy and loose. The Ford switches are made in two parts and the halves will loosen up and short and cause all kinds of havoc. It looks like the Chevy switch is similar and can fail that way.

Here's a picture of the switch $8.99 at autozone. Oops. I thought you had a Chevy. The Buick switch is probably exactly the same. I'll check. Yup, exact same part. The metal base is probably loose or separated from the plastic body. Then it burns the contacts. This problem could also fry the voltage regulator....hopefully not. It's worth at least a visual inspection.

View attachment 2980

 

Thanks for all the help guys. As far as the alternator test is concerned, I am not a complete know-nothing when it comes to electric/electronics, lol...I do appreciate all the info, believe me, and even better, can actually understand some of it!

Seriously, I had considered the starter as a possibility for my problem, never though about the ignition switch..I'll have to take a look at that. Thanks again, I'll post back when I get into it.