1997 Buick Regal electrical problem

Alternator is aftermarket. I do not know when it replaced OEM. I bought
car used 18 months ago. MORE INFO: Original engine (literally) blew up on
me last summer driving over the continental divide near East Glacier,
Montana. Mechanic who swapped engines (replaced w/2001 3.8L from salvage
yard) thinks main bearing let go and that destroyed engine from the inside
out. He re-used alternator that was on vehicle at the time.

Jeff

"Paul" <Paul.RemoveThis@slowcast.net> wrote in message
news:BbudnR9XK5tX4qTVnZ2dnUVZ_sidnZ2d@comcast.com...
> Jeff W wrote:
>> I am having an intermittent battery light indication on my 97 Regal. The
>> electrical system was inspected Friday and all is well; charging level is
>> 14.2 volts. This battery light occasionally comes on and will flicker a
>> bit, but then "disappear" for weeks. The battery was replaced in the
>> Fall; battery cables are tight. Could this be a voltage regulator that's
>> going bad? If so, would that show up as a very intermittent type of
>> battery light indication? Please e-mail off-list if you require more
>> information.
>>
>> Jeff
>> jhermanwood(at)yahoodotcom
>
> Could be.
> Could also be brushes worn down after 10 years and making intermittent
> contact.
 >> Stay informed about: 1997 Buick Regal electrical problem 

Jeff W wrote:
> Alternator is aftermarket. I do not know when it replaced OEM. I bought
> car used 18 months ago. MORE INFO: Original engine (literally) blew up on
> me last summer driving over the continental divide near East Glacier,
> Montana. Mechanic who swapped engines (replaced w/2001 3.8L from salvage
> yard) thinks main bearing let go and that destroyed engine from the inside
> out. He re-used alternator that was on vehicle at the time.
>
> Jeff

Wow! Sound like when my trans went out going over the divide in Colorado.
Ok, I would take the wires off and clean and inspect them.
Make sure the battery cables are clean. Same for all the grounds that
you can find.
If that does not help, then my next step would be to take the alternator
apart
and clean and inspect. Make sure the brushes are free to move easily.


> "Paul" <Paul.DeleteThis@slowcast.net> wrote in message
> news:BbudnR9XK5tX4qTVnZ2dnUVZ_sidnZ2d@comcast.com...
>> Jeff W wrote:
>>> I am having an intermittent battery light indication on my 97 Regal. The
>>> electrical system was inspected Friday and all is well; charging level is
>>> 14.2 volts. This battery light occasionally comes on and will flicker a
>>> bit, but then "disappear" for weeks. The battery was replaced in the
>>> Fall; battery cables are tight. Could this be a voltage regulator that's
>>> going bad? If so, would that show up as a very intermittent type of
>>> battery light indication? Please e-mail off-list if you require more
>>> information.
>>>
>>> Jeff
>>> jhermanwood(at)yahoodotcom
>> Could be.
>> Could also be brushes worn down after 10 years and making intermittent
>> contact.
>
>
 >> Stay informed about: 1997 Buick Regal electrical problem 

When I encounter a flickering battery light and the dashboard voltmeter
indicates good voltage, in my experience the culprit has been a bad
diode.
 >> Stay informed about: 1997 Buick Regal electrical problem 

When I encounter a flickering battery light and the dashboard voltmeter
indicates good voltage, in my experience the culprit has been a bad
diode.
 >> Stay informed about: 1997 Buick Regal electrical problem 

Excuse my naivete, but by "diode" do you mean the "light bulb" that comes on
showing red? At any rate, I'm taking it into Buick dealer for oil change,
etc., Friday and I'll have them take a look-see. Thanks for the tip,
though.

Jeff

"James Goforth" <jamiegoforth.TakeThisOut@webtv.net> wrote in message
news:10547-483A32BF-262@baytvnwsxa002.msntv.msn.com...
> When I encounter a flickering battery light and the dashboard voltmeter
> indicates good voltage, in my experience the culprit has been a bad
> diode.
>
 >> Stay informed about: 1997 Buick Regal electrical problem