what could be wrong 98 firebird just cuts off while drining

Asked by chiarulli Aug 03, 2013 at 03:06 PM about the 1998 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

car cuts off while driving and needs jump usually to restart what could be wrong replaced battery starter and  alternator

3 Answers

will check fuselinks all connections are clean and tight battery light not on and gauge does not read low either

200,965

Sounds like you might have lost a negative(ground) connection. Check your negative connection on frame and motor. They must be clean and tight. Test alternator voltage at your battery while car is idling it should be around 14.5 volts. If not at least 14 volts there then test it right at the alternator from the positive terminal of alternator and the frame of alternator. If you do have the proper voltage there then you lost either the positive or negative connection between alternator and battery.

85

If your car stalls out while driving, and you verify that the battery is dead with a voltmeter. And it was fully charged when you left your garage, and it reads 12.5 - 14.5 volts while idling. You have a severe ground fault. Stop driving the car immediately. If one of the conditions I mentioned isnt true it could be many things from a defective battery, voltage regulator, loose connection at the starter, battery, alternator, ground strap at the block, body ground, etc. It could even be a faulty connection or ground at the ECM or crank sensor. etc. too many possibilities without more info.

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