Charging system got me confused... - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Army_Dude · 01-26-2006, 09:06 PM

My voltmeter on my dash almost always read about 14 to 15. Well yesterday on the way to work it barely read 12. I came home for lunch and pulled the alternator and took it to AutoZone and had them check it. They said it was good. Tonight while driving it was flirting with the 13 but not past it. The reason this is an issue is because twice it has left me stuck. I try to crank it and all I get is a click. Thats when I started to notice the drop on the gauge. I checked and cleaned all my connections. Any Ideas or suggestions? It seems to be a intermittent problem.

jermasaurus · 01-26-2006, 10:57 PM

Maybe when it was bench tested it could supply the voltage. But with loads like lights, blower motor, wipers, etc... the alternator may not keep up- especially at idle.

If you have a voltmeter, I would try to observe battery voltage at idle with no loads and then with them. Good Luck

-Jeremy

**smokinn** · 01-26-2006, 11:02 PM

Mine does the same thing. But with mine all I have to do is rev the engine once up high to get it to jump up. I could replace the Alt but dont have the time and it's never left me anywhere walking.

Jason

87 STEPPER · 01-27-2006, 08:30 AM

I think the first thing id do is have the battery load tested unless it's new if thats ok then id replace both bettery cables and maybe even the pwr supply wire from the alt.

Alot of times battery cables can look ok but internally there corroded and that can cause high resistance and cranking and charging problems.

Good luck.

Army_Dude · 01-27-2006, 08:45 AM

yeah that wouldn't be a bad idea anyway (cables). It only seems to have a lower charge in the morning. I'll try to check the batt today and post results.

*GoobersBlueBurban* · 01-27-2006, 02:45 PM

If the battery has a lower charge in the morning you might have something that is draining your battery during the night such as a dome light or something small. I would go head and replace the cables and be sure to use the battery cable ends that crimp on. They maybe more expensive, but they are much better than bolt on battery cable ends. If you replace the cables and you still have the same problem you might want to go to an alternator or start shop to have it checked out.

01-26-2006, 09:06 PM	#1
Army_Dude Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 187	Charging system got me confused... My voltmeter on my dash almost always read about 14 to 15. Well yesterday on the way to work it barely read 12. I came home for lunch and pulled the alternator and took it to AutoZone and had them check it. They said it was good. Tonight while driving it was flirting with the 13 but not past it. The reason this is an issue is because twice it has left me stuck. I try to crank it and all I get is a click. Thats when I started to notice the drop on the gauge. I checked and cleaned all my connections. Any Ideas or suggestions? It seems to be a intermittent problem.

01-26-2006, 10:57 PM	#2
jermasaurus Registered User Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: New Lenox, IL Posts: 442	Re: Charging system got me confused... Maybe when it was bench tested it could supply the voltage. But with loads like lights, blower motor, wipers, etc... the alternator may not keep up- especially at idle. If you have a voltmeter, I would try to observe battery voltage at idle with no loads and then with them. Good Luck -Jeremy __________________ 79 Jimmy slammed AKA James Down

01-26-2006, 11:02 PM	#3
smokinn Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: omaha,Ne Posts: 617	Re: Charging system got me confused... Mine does the same thing. But with mine all I have to do is rev the engine once up high to get it to jump up. I could replace the Alt but dont have the time and it's never left me anywhere walking. Jason

01-27-2006, 08:30 AM	#4
87 STEPPER STILL PLAYS WITH TRUX Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Melbourne, Fla. Posts: 2,764	Re: Charging system got me confused... I think the first thing id do is have the battery load tested unless it's new if thats ok then id replace both bettery cables and maybe even the pwr supply wire from the alt. Alot of times battery cables can look ok but internally there corroded and that can cause high resistance and cranking and charging problems. Good luck. __________________ ~~Bruce~~ MY 87 STEPPER MY 99 2D/WD TAHOE

01-27-2006, 08:45 AM	#5
Army_Dude Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Fayetteville, NC Posts: 187	Re: Charging system got me confused... yeah that wouldn't be a bad idea anyway (cables). It only seems to have a lower charge in the morning. I'll try to check the batt today and post results.

01-27-2006, 02:45 PM	#6
GoobersBlueBurban Account Suspended Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Paris Texas Posts: 161	Re: Charging system got me confused... If the battery has a lower charge in the morning you might have something that is draining your battery during the night such as a dome light or something small. I would go head and replace the cables and be sure to use the battery cable ends that crimp on. They maybe more expensive, but they are much better than bolt on battery cable ends. If you replace the cables and you still have the same problem you might want to go to an alternator or start shop to have it checked out.



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