Alternator

[QShip]

I was driving my 91 Q w/ 114k miles the other night and it cut off on me. The guides have been done, transmission replaced and it has been converted from active to conventional by Sopdadope.

Anyway, I was cruising the highway to get some gas and I felt the Q slow down and the rpms drop. I pulled to the side of the road and waited a few minutes. I checked the oil and coolant reservoir, both looked okay.

I started the car and pushed on the gas pedal to take her home but she cut off again. A message flashed saying the Battery Charge level is low. After that, I had triple AAA tow her home.

Do you think it's the alternator?

[DAEDALUS]

Did the brake and ABS lights come on? They come on with a bad alt usually. If the battery charge was marginal and the engine shut off, then the battery might get weak enough to throw a message from just having the headlights on.

[forecast]

The parking brake light actually doubles as a traditional alternator light (it's brightness is inverse to the alternator output) so you would have noticed it in advance (assuming it's working) That's why the brake light always comes on when you turn the key to on before starting it.

The ABS complains when system voltage gets low but turning on it's light.

Likely the low voltage condition was caused by the headlights turned on. Once started the car can run for a while normally with that message showing so I'm going to rule out the alternator.

My ultra low dollar guess is plugged fuel filer. Going to get gas - how low was it? sucked up some debris at the bottom of the tank?

My medium dollar guess is the fuel pump failed. Same as filter, but in this guess the pump failed ... and overloaded the controller?

My high dollar guess is the ECU. ouch.

Let me know what you find.

[QShip]

Yes, the brake light and abs light came on.

The fuel pump and fuel filter were replaced a little over a year ago. The gas tank was at a quarter.

Thanks for the response!

[forecast]

these lights came on while driving or after you shut the engine off the first time?

Fully charge the battery and see if the car starts and drives (don't get too far from home )