Heck of a time with my truck - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

GTS61 · 01-24-2019, 05:06 PM

I was driving home this morning from work with my lights on when I noticed that the voltage meter was ready 10, it was over 12 when I left work. I was almost home and the truck started to stall on and off and the lights went dim and the volt meter was almost 0 then my truck quit. My wife had to come and boost me and I still only got a block down the road and the engine quit again so I left it there until I got some sleep. It must be my generator but I don’t know enough about engines. And advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Greg
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CANUCIT · 01-24-2019, 05:14 PM

Charge the battery and start the truck , disconnect the battery cable while its running
If it dies your alternator is shot
If it still runs check your cables and connections

GTS61 · 01-24-2019, 05:20 PM

Thanks for such a quick response!!

jchav62 · 01-25-2019, 10:27 AM

That test always works for me, if you do not have a volt meter handy. Has for years.

My guess is that your voltage regulator went out. If not that, the gen/alt. What year is your truck?

**Clyde65** · 01-25-2019, 03:56 PM

I would take the battery to an auto Parts house and have it tested. Sounds like it has a dead cell in it. Where I live, batteries only last about 3 years tops. Good luck!

61K10 · 01-25-2019, 04:14 PM

he said his volt meter was 0 a volt gauge or an amp meter? 0 means no charging.

GTS61 · 01-25-2019, 04:43 PM

It’s a volt gauge. It is a brand new battery also but could still be a bad new one I guess.

shp4man · 01-25-2019, 08:53 PM

So recharge the battery. Hook the voltmeter to + and - on the battery. Should read about 12.3 volts. Now, start up the truck. Run it up to about 1500 RPM. Voltmeter should read about 13.5 volts. Up to 1.5 volts more is OK.
Now, turn the lights on bright and the heater fan at full speed. Run it back up to 1500 RPM. Does the voltmeter read the same or less than the 12.3 or whatever you got with the truck not running?

If yes, there's a problem in the charging system.

GTS61 · 01-26-2019, 10:46 AM

Thanks a lot. I’ll get that after work today. I appreciate the help. Right now I’m thinking it’s my generator.

TJ's Chevy · 01-26-2019, 12:32 PM

Voltage regulators are cheap so I'd start with one of those after doing some testing.

GTS61 · 01-26-2019, 08:13 PM

Missed it. Found my problem anyways. Bad wire is all it was. Thanks for the help everyone!! I learned about a lot of trouble shooting ideas. Love this forum

01-24-2019, 05:06 PM	#1
GTS61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 66	Heck of a time with my truck I was driving home this morning from work with my lights on when I noticed that the voltage meter was ready 10, it was over 12 when I left work. I was almost home and the truck started to stall on and off and the lights went dim and the volt meter was almost 0 then my truck quit. My wife had to come and boost me and I still only got a block down the road and the engine quit again so I left it there until I got some sleep. It must be my generator but I don’t know enough about engines. And advise would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Greg Posted via Mobile Device

01-24-2019, 05:14 PM	#2
CANUCIT Registered User Join Date: Nov 2017 Location: JOPLIN MO Posts: 59	Re: Heck of a time with my truck Charge the battery and start the truck , disconnect the battery cable while its running If it dies your alternator is shot If it still runs check your cables and connections __________________ 1962 chevy short and wide 2015 z71 1967 SS Chevelle Last edited by LockDoc; 01-26-2019 at 05:57 PM.

01-24-2019, 05:20 PM	#3
GTS61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 66	Re: Heck of a time with my truck Thanks for such a quick response!!

01-25-2019, 10:27 AM	#4
jchav62 1962 C-10 Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Las Vegas, New Mexico Posts: 4,978	Re: Heck of a time with my truck That test always works for me, if you do not have a volt meter handy. Has for years. My guess is that your voltage regulator went out. If not that, the gen/alt. What year is your truck? __________________ Joseph Chavez "See the USA in a Chevrolet!!" ......................_____ .........________//__{\_____ ,,,,,,,/__(O)___//___/__(O)_/ 1962 C10 Shortbed Fleetside 327/th350 GV overdrive 1974 C10 Longbed Fleetside 350/th350 "The Trash Truck" 1999 Chevy 2500 OBS, Longbed 5.7/4L80E 4x4 2015 GMC Sierra SLE 1500 4x4

01-25-2019, 03:56 PM	#5
Clyde65 1965 Chevy C10, 2005 4.8L/4l60 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: DFW Texas Posts: 8,547	Re: Heck of a time with my truck I would take the battery to an auto Parts house and have it tested. Sounds like it has a dead cell in it. Where I live, batteries only last about 3 years tops. Good luck! __________________ Clyde65 Rebuild of Clyde http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post8338184 69 Aristocrat Lo Liner build http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...84#post7561684 *support our troops!*

01-25-2019, 04:14 PM	#6
61K10 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: pleasant valley--placerville ca Posts: 3,039	Re: Heck of a time with my truck he said his volt meter was 0 a volt gauge or an amp meter? 0 means no charging. __________________ 1961 chevy K10 my build is------------61K10 build

01-25-2019, 04:43 PM	#7
GTS61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 66	Re: Heck of a time with my truck It’s a volt gauge. It is a brand new battery also but could still be a bad new one I guess.

01-25-2019, 08:53 PM	#8
shp4man Registered User Join Date: Oct 2016 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 557	Re: Heck of a time with my truck So recharge the battery. Hook the voltmeter to + and - on the battery. Should read about 12.3 volts. Now, start up the truck. Run it up to about 1500 RPM. Voltmeter should read about 13.5 volts. Up to 1.5 volts more is OK. Now, turn the lights on bright and the heater fan at full speed. Run it back up to 1500 RPM. Does the voltmeter read the same or less than the 12.3 or whatever you got with the truck not running? If yes, there's a problem in the charging system. __________________ Everybody has to believe in something. I believe I'll have another beer.

01-26-2019, 10:46 AM	#9
GTS61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 66	Re: Heck of a time with my truck Thanks a lot. I’ll get that after work today. I appreciate the help. Right now I’m thinking it’s my generator.

01-26-2019, 12:32 PM	#10
TJ's Chevy Registered User Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Southern Oregon Posts: 10,384	Re: Heck of a time with my truck Voltage regulators are cheap so I'd start with one of those after doing some testing. __________________ 1966 Chevy C10 "Project Two Tone" http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=596643 1964 GMC "Crustine" semi-build:http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=665056 My youtube channel. Username "Military Chevy": https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_h...fzpcUXyK_5-uiw

01-26-2019, 08:13 PM	#11
GTS61 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 66	Re: Heck of a time with my truck Missed it. Found my problem anyways. Bad wire is all it was. Thanks for the help everyone!! I learned about a lot of trouble shooting ideas. Love this forum



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