[mboyd55]

Alternator been tested twice by separate shops - Indicates Good.
Batteries been tested they indicate good.

Alternator Light goes on and off.
Checked charging voltage is 13.7 volts.
Alternator light came on, voltage meter still says 13.7 volts from alternator to battery ground.

It has left wife on side of the road a week ago. Lights dimmed, instrument panel dimmed. Batteries died.

Checked and cleaned batteries connections and checked other connections all are clean and tight.

Any thoughts to the problem?

Thanks
Mike

 

[paintingman]

13.7v may not be enough to keep the batteries fully charged mine stays at 14v it takes two volts over 12v to charge them

 

[teamroper60]

There is a ground wire that attaches to the engine block, on the front, down low. Back in 04, there was a recall for the stud coming loose at that spot. I didn't have the recall performed back then because it came with a mandatory reflash. Well, I developed a problem like yours a little while back (except it never shut off on me) and now that the truck is out of warranty, I had the stud changed (minus the reflash). That solved my problem. You might check that stud out and while you are looking, check all your grounds.

BTW, 13.7 is pretty good voltage if you are still running the stock alternator.

 

[mboyd55]

Thanks

Thanks for the advice concerning the grounds.
That was my next thing to take a look at, since it was a come and go condition.

 

[KJdanReuben]

There is a ground wire that attaches to the engine block, on the front, down low. Back in 04, there was a recall for the stud coming loose at that spot. I didn't have the recall performed back then because it came with a mandatory reflash. Well, I developed a problem like yours a little while back (except it never shut off on me) and now that the truck is out of warranty, I had the stud changed (minus the reflash). That solved my problem. You might check that stud out and while you are looking, check all your grounds.

BTW, 13.7 is pretty good voltage if you are still running the stock alternator.

Where exactly is this ground connection and how easy is it to get to? My truck is having similar problems. It's an '04 that I bought used so I'm not sure if the previous owner had the ground problem fixed. The truck is currently at the shop and I'm going to call them in the morning and tell them about this connection. It's getting a new alternator, the third one in a year. I'm not sure what could be making them die, but this seems like a likely culprit. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I've also had to change my FICM because of electrical problems and I would really love for that not to break again. Thanks!

 

[Captrick]

I also show 13.7V while running and it will go as high as 14V. I have the stock alternator.
Twice in the last month my battery light has come on for about 2-4 minutes when driving.
I think I will look for that ground stud that was mentioned. Is it on the driver side or passenger side of the block?

 

[rcgreg]

Hmmm, 13.7? I have a bullydog guage that shows 13.1V - never a charging problem though, no lights, no codes, measuring at the alternator shows 14 Plus, where does the OBDC get its reading from?

 

[KJdanReuben]

My problem was the ground cable. I'm pretty sure it's on the driver's side. I didn't see it but that is where I saw my mechanic looking. He said mine was wiggling all over. Thanks teamroper for the input!

 

[Captrick]

Guess thats my weekend project. last night on the way home the battery warning light came on again for about 10 minutes. My CTS gauge was still showing 13.7V.