I was driving home from work today, and after i went to Burger King for a Whopper meal (Healthy i know), my traction control and stability light came on. also, my radio cut off. this only happened when i let off the gas. I was pretty close to home, so i was able to make it there. But as i got closer, the power steering started to go out too, with the message displaying on the dash to check the Power steering system. The only odd thing was that all these symptoms went away when i pressed on the gas.
A few weeks ago i did notice a whining sound coming from the engine and i did suspect the alternator. after i turned it off, i checked the voltage on the battery and it read a bit over 11 volts. the car wouldnt start and the lights were dim. I hooked my wifes car to it and it fired right up and stayed on until i turned it off.
I dont know much about this car becuase i just got it in feb, and it made a trip from Ohio to Gatlinburg with no issues. Any info will be greatly appreciated.

 

It is certainly possible that you have a bad alternator. However it could also be a bad battery or a worn/stretched belt. Do you have a battery charger? Can you get the battery to a full change? If so leave it sit for a while after without driving it. Then test the voltage again. If it's 12.6 or lower the battery is bad.

 

Battery voltage below 12.5v is a dead battery
Voltage, when running, below 14v is a dead alternator

 

Unfortunately i dont have a battery charger. But I forgot to mention when I did jump it, I used my volt meter and it read 10.8v. If it is the alternator, I'll replace the belt right along with it. I do believe its the original alternator though.

 

Head to your nearest auto parts store for a free battery load test and charging system test.

 

definitely doing this tomorrow

 

These have Electrical Power Management (EPM) and can run below 14 if the load is low. My Sierra has this also. It has a volt meter on the dash and shortly after I got the truck, on a warmer day driving to work my voltmeter dropped to 13. Scared me to no end. It went up again later. I did some reading and found out the reason it was doing that. However when first starting it up it should be putting out 14 for at least a few minutes.

 

It was doing about 10v when i checked it last. I checked it directly at the battery.
forgot to mention, the battery light did not come on at all during any of this.

 

It sounds like the alternator isn't getting the current it needs for excitation, which I'm guessing would come through the orange wire. Check your fuses.

It manages to self excite when it is spun fast enough.





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