97 died while driving

[NanaJx6]

My 97 SL2 died while driving down the road. I've recently replaced battery, plugs, wires, and valve cover gaskets. Ran fine for about 10 miles then lights went dim, lost power and just died....?

[alordofchaos]

Serpentine belt and alternator?

Battery is only used to start the car. Once running, the alternator provides the power to keep the car running.

If the belt breaks or alternator weakens/dies, the car can run on just the battery for a while

Charge the battery, should start once charged - but will die again since the alternator is not recharging the battery.

Some auto parts stores will test your alternator for free.

[RobertGary1]

Codes?

[TomM96]

So, uh nanajx6 -

fun replacing the alternator, yes?

DB Electric is the way to go

[2NDSOUT]

Going to play semi-devil's advocate here:

A few questions...

When you were driving the car; did you have any type of gas smell?

I know on the 97 model year; there was an issue with the fuel pumps- that was specific to the 97 model year only...ask me how I know. If you had that; then it was a sure sign of the Fuel Pump failing.

If you haven't changed out the alternator; then that may be the next thing on your list.

I would suggest getting the battery checked/tested at your local auto store... I have had new batteries die within 6 months or less of purchase.

[ultravioletnk]

Originally Posted by NanaJx6

My 97 SL2 died while driving down the road. I've recently replaced battery, plugs, wires, and valve cover gaskets. Ran fine for about 10 miles then lights went dim, lost power and just died....?

that definitely sounds like a bad alternator. if the car runs fine again after you recharge the battery, the alternator is almost certainly the problem. there is some chance it could be the fusible link between the alternator and the starter, rather than the alternator itself. certainly worth checking as it's easier to replace. a simple continuity test between the terminal on the alternator and the one on the starter will rule it out quickly.

they're not too hard to replace if you jack the car up sufficiently to get under it comfortably (and support it well with jack stands of course!) and they can be had at the jy for cheap enough if you're so inclined as to go pull the part yourself. sometimes you find a really new one on one of the cars, it's worth peeking at them all for that reason. honestly though as long as you don't have some massive electrical problem or a bad battery that's constantly pulling too much current from the alternator, they don't fail that often even when it is a random used one. i've thrown on well-used spares that came with donor engines the two times alternators on my cars went and haven't seen an issue since on either car.