steering assist/ radio and some dash lights randomly go out
 

2006 Vue, 6 cyl (honda engine according to mechanic). Driving when radio went out, some random dash lights, power steering assist all out for a few miles then just came back on. A couple days later did it again but took longer (drove about 6 miles to work) to come back. Shut it down came out on break and it was fine. A day or two later same thing. It's going into the shop but after the first time I started searching in internet; found several people had the issue and had either mechanics or dealerships replace everything from battery, to battery cables, throttle body, alternators. Most said fine temporarily and started again. This doesn't seem related to the service bulletin about key falling out of ignition as this doesn't do it. I've yet to find anyone who actually successfully fixed the problem. HELP please.

This requires a tech who knows how to load test circuits in a car. You can replace a lot of things and still not be fixed. A good electrical shop will likely charge a bit more per hour but they can save you a lot.

We are pretty rural. Dealerships aren't great. The small shop we've used over the years is very fair and honest. He's going to do a load test tom. I'd mentioned reading other posts w/ same issues on a GM site -what had been replaced and no one ever stated what it actually! was. He did ask this am when I called and mentioned looking up service bulletins and threads if I found anything to give a heads up. Which was a big fat no.

Is the charging light one of the lights on the dash that comes on? And stays on?

If it is the same set of lights and equipment every time, Im thinking it is either a voltage regulator issue or a power distribution issue and therefore an issue under or with the fuse boxes.

Of course i can prove neither.

At the shop. Called said over charging code, tested alt at 18.2 volt he said so it basically keeps throwing in a limp mode. We will pick up tom afternoon afte 440$ worth of alternator replacement and post update.

Yep, voltage regulator is inside the alternator. And that's what happens when it goes bad.

Hope the PCM is ok

Oh lordy I hope so!! After a house fire loosing everything I can't afford any more crap. I will update just so if it corrects it others can find it. thank you.

So I waited a few days to hopefully be sure the issue was fixed to reply in case others have the issue. So it actually did throw a code, over charging, wrench says it was charging at 18.2-19 volts! Which was throwing it in limp mode to protect wiring (according to him). Just over $400 later for a alternator replacement, he said he had to have a good alternator first and hopefully that was it. Dam, bring me back to the 60-70's cars where the voltage regulators were separate vs part of the dang alternator. He said likely was the voltage reg that was having the issue. Thanks, hopefully it's done for now. If not I will reply just so others have a thread to follow.

Another one back on the road