The alternator can show 14+ volts at idle, yet have insufficient
charge rate under normal operating conditions. It is important to
test the voltage with lights on high beam, radio, and all other
accessories on, and the engine running at speeds between idle and
normal highway rpm.
Beyond that, all of Donald's GM specific knowledge is great info.
At 10:41 AM 12/15/2008, you wrote:
Rich Thomas: "2000 Suburban, original alternator, 2-3 yr old Sears
Die Hard Gold battery. A few weeks back the morning of the first
cold snap, wife leaves home, drives 10 miles, stops for gas, would
not start again. I go there with spare battery, try a jump, no
start, put in spare battery, OK to go. Take battery to Sears, they
put it on charger, it takes a charge, they pronounce it good. Put
it back in Suburban. Been running fine since then until...
A coupla days ago, wife drives Sub to airport, it sits for 3 days,
sorta cool days/nights, won't start Sat night when she gets
home. Airport guys jump start, she comes home. Yesterday would not
start again, this morning I charge it up, starts OK.
Volt meter says 14+V, not that that means anything if the alternator
is not putting out much amps, but it seemed to be fine since the first episode.
I am thinking bad battery though it was fine since the first episode
until Saturday night, maybe a month or so. Nothing seems to be
draining it (lights, etc.)."
Here is one thing you can check: Check the battery cables. I think
your truck has a double post positive battery cable. It has a
spacer on it that you ca remove and replace for $2. The spacer
corrodes and it causes all sorts of wiggle in that cable. So,
replace the spacer and then (in the words of the old mechanics that
I used to work with) make sure it is "dog tight". Really crank it
down tight. You would be surprised how often that stupid spacer
causes problems on these side posts. Good luck. If that doesn't
work, then you may have a bad battery, but you may trouble
convincing Sears that it is bad.
If the alt is charging 14+, it is doing its job.
Donald H. Snook
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Loren Faeth
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