Alright my check engine light came on yesterday and my car started going to hell! It first cranked over really slow like it was struggling. Then a few blocks down the road after I turned the dimmer up my radio turned off and all my lights started dimming and the light came on. So later on that night me and my friend went and boosted it and it started right up! After we started it it ran fine till I turned on the headlights and actually put it in gear to drive then the RPM's started dropping and my lights dimmed again. I just ended up speeding home. Also the thing is after it stalls out all the light work fine, nice and bright! By the way if you have any input on this or know how to retrieve codes that would help. I think its the alternator. This is all on a 94 Trans Am

 

I asked Autozone and Advance if they could do it but they only do the OBD II

 

could be alternator, bad battery, bad terminal connection on the battery.

get a multi-meter and check what the alt output and the battery.

alot of small shops will scan the car real quick for $20 or something.

 

What does your volts gauge read? Is it below 12-14?

 

You can't "flash" the codes on anything newer that a 93. You need a hardware scanner - AutoXray, ScanMaster, etc. Or a software package and cable to connect to a laptop - FreeScan, TTS DataMaster, EFI Live V4, etc. Do not be fooled by the $30 Actron scanner, that is indicated on the packaging to work with your 94... it won't. Its just a switch that shorts the ALDL connector pins, and that won't work on 94 and newer.

 

You have to use what Injuneer said. I used freescan.

Problem could be the alternator, but definitley something electical. Really bad short maybe?

 

If the SES Light is on - Take it to a local car parts store and have them plug in a OBD-I Scanner. I know O Reillys Lets me take it if I give them my DL.

It sounds like it is the altenator. Take it off and take it up to your local parts store and they can test it. I'd just run it for codes first because I wouldn't want to take it off if I don't have to.

 

If you read the following posts you would know he can't just take it in. 1994 was the weird year where you need to use a scan tool with a laptop.

As far as testing the alternator, most auto places do it for free. You can also just look for other things like when you start the car, does the voltage go up or stay realitively the same. Can also hook a meter up to it and see how that goes.

 

Any OBD-I GM scanner with the correct 12-pin OBD-I connector will work. There is nothing wierd about the 94's????

 

Oh, an actual READER. I thought he meant those jumpers you stick in and jump the ground and data port. My bad. That's what I meant by weird, can't jump 94's to get the flashing SES.

 

Thanks! I just got home from work and I'm going to get started on testing everything