Oldsmobile/Buick Repair: 2000 LeSabre voltage light comes on with driving, 2000 buick lesabre, reputable facility

Question
About a month ago, I accidently switched my cruise control on then off and back on again, the voltage light came on for a few seconds and the car kinda jumped but it kept going. I thought I had done something with the cruise control to cause this.  Then about two weeks ago as I was driving I noticed it the light on again, the car died, I put it in neutral, restarted it and kept driving for several miles when it died again and would not restart. It would crank but not start. After sitting about 10 minutes, it started for only a few seconds. I left it parked and the next day, it started and drove like nothing was wrong.  I took it in to the dealership and they couldn't find any problem and said I would have to drive it until it happened again. About 1000 miles later, I noticed the voltage light come on again for only a few seconds, the car did not die this time but I am getting afraid to drive it. It is a 2000 Buick LeSabre with ca 72K miles. Everyone seems to think it is the fuel pump. What could it be?  

Answer
I see NO RELATION of the fuel pump has to do with the CHARGE light on the dash.

I suspect that you have an intermittent fault in the alternator and possibly an intermittent fault in the CRANBK SHAFT SENSOR.

With today's electronics in these complex vehicles whenever the battery voltage to the computer drops below approx 8 volts it will shut off the engine along with the voltage supply to the fuel pump in order to protect the electronics from under voltage damage.

I would have the alternator tested by a reputable facility.

However, when this fault occurs you can test the fuel pump by performing this test:

Fuel pump test:

1. Get yourself a helper.

2. remove the gas cap.

3. have one person listen in the gas tank at the gas cap opening.

4. have the other person turn the ignition switch to the ON position ONLY so as the dash lights come on. Do NOT attempt to start the engine.

5. As soon as the ignition key is turned to the ON position, The person at the gas tank should hear the fuel pump run for TWO SECONDS and then it should STOP.

6. Does it ?.


If you do NOT hear it run, in most cases the fault is the fuel pump.



let me know.


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