My car died on the highway

[camaro_matt]

I was on my way home at about 3 am, and i noticed my lights started to dim, and my cd player kept turning on and off. I had to pull off to the side of the road because my headlights were barely working. My battery power gauge was clear down at 10 or so. i got a "check gauges" signal and my "air bag" light came on. When I stopped the car, the exhaust smelled really bad, like something was burning. Anyway, I got a jump, and the car stayed on for about 1 min. then all the lights went dim again. My guess is that it is the alternator. what do u guys think? Thanks!

[Fin]

Sounds like the alternator. You can go have it tested at a place like Autozone for free. I went through 3 of them on my '94 so after the first one, I knew what to look for when there was a problem. The CHECK GAUGES light came on due to the fact your voltage had strayed from normal operating parameters. The PCM will cut out certain non-vital functions (such as the ABS system, and depending upon how low the voltage goes, 4th gear in an A4 car, since the trans is electronically controlled on '94+ cars). A new one will run anywhere from $100-120, and they come w/a lifetime warranty most of the time. If the problem is indeed the alternator, check the serpentine belt out while you're at it, since it has to be taken loose from the alternator pulley & replace the belt if it looks worn.

[michael]

gm is known for bad alternators

[camaro_matt]

Found the problem, and my local repairman is gonna hear it! I had the plugs and wires with me in my car when I passed the shop, so I decided to stop in to have them change my plugs and wires. Anyway, They did not clamp down the cable that runs from the battery to the alternator, they just left a whole bunch of wires hanging near the belts. Anyway, the battery cable got caught in the belt and tore the cable in half. So I think im gonna stop by and see if the shop will cover the cost of the new battery cable. Im just glad it wasn't the alternator and nothing got fu<ked up on my car.

[strange_trp]

lucky nothing got damaged. disconnecting the battery from the system with the engine running could possibly seriously damage the engine control system. the battery acts as a capacitor in modern systems, absorbing any voltage spikes created by the alternator so the pcm doesn't get damaged.
i would be pi$$ed if some jack-leg just left my wires hanging all over the place to get caught up in the belt. what if you would have been standing near the engine looking in with the hood up when the wire got caught in the belt. poor workmanship, imho. go give em hell dude.

[camaro_matt]

Oh man! I can't wait, my dad said that I could have been seriously injured, I should bring a video camera with me tomorrow to tape my dad bite their heads off, Im gonna laugh! But now im worried that something might go wrong in the engine. It seems ok now, but only time will tell.

[ March 31, 2002: Message edited by: camaro_matt ]</p>