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OT Question concerning charging problem on truck

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Jrry

09-03-2004 08:43:58

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I have a chev truck with 350 engine. The charging meter is reading about one-third up instead of in the middle of the guage. It has ben to the left of center for a while but now has moved a little further to the left. The truck has not had a problem starting or running but should I be worried at this time?

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buickanddeere

09-04-2004 09:22:10

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 08:43:58

If a field or main output diode fails open, the alternator can carry on at reduced capacity. Run the truck with every electrical device turned on and measure the output voltage. If she can"t hold 13.5 to 14.0V at fast idle, it"s ready for service.

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Bus Driver

09-04-2004 04:23:23

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Re: Removing battery cable in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 08:43:58

I saw the post suggesting removing the battery cable while the engine is running. Others have already responded to that, but I want to add my bit. That is a terrible suggestion. Expensive damage may occur.

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MarkB_MI

09-04-2004 03:19:38

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 08:43:58

Some Chevy models (such as my '88 C-1500) have sticky meter movements. Confirm the voltage with a known good voltmeter; it could just be a bad meter.

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Jrry

09-03-2004 13:20:13

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 08:43:58

Thanks for all the replies. I'll check it out tomorrow. I went out at lunce and drove the truck for about 20 miles. The guage showed the charging at 14 right where it should be for about the first 10 miles but after after that it dropped some. Maybe the belt is a little loose but I'll check it out.

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1945A

09-03-2004 13:10:39

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 08:43:58

Quick & dirty trick I learned some time back if you"re wondering if the alternator is working, is to pull the negative lead from the battery while the engine"s running. If it continues running, your battery is bad, if it dies, your alternator isn"t working. That doesn"t tell you exactly what the alternator is putting out, but you"ll know it"s putting out enough to run the vehicle. I suppose you could also put a load on the alternator with the lead off, like turning on headlamps....
Hope this helps in answering the question as to which needs replacing....

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TheRealRon

09-03-2004 14:56:26

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to 1945A, 09-03-2004 13:10:39

If you do that on a car/truck with a computer, you get to replace the computer.

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Loren

09-03-2004 17:53:14

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And quite often the altenator. in reply to TheRealRon, 09-03-2004 14:56:26

Voltage spikes can be fun. Keep the battery cables clean and tight on alt. equipped vehicles.

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Bus Driver

09-03-2004 09:37:14

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 08:43:58

Low-to-no charging rate could be as simple as a slipping belt. The voltmeter test at the battery is definitely the place to start troubleshooting.

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Kendall

09-03-2004 09:18:19

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 08:43:58

Put your volt meter on the battery with the engine running. 12V or less means your running on battery. 13V means maybe your alternator is workning, but maybe not. 13.5 -14V means your alternator is working ok. Another trick I learned is if your alternator is working, the center bolt where the pully is connected will be maginitized and you can hold a wrench close to it and it will be a strong magentic field and pull it in. Now you got to realize that its spinning and test this with something smooth like the back side of a wrench instead of something like a screwdriver blade where the blade might snag and kick back. I guess its also possible for this magnetic field to exist and your internal regulator not doing its thing. The volt meter is the for sure way to test.

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Jon H

09-03-2004 21:08:20

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Kendall, 09-03-2004 09:18:19

Kendall, You can check for thr rotors magnetic field by holding a steel tool to the end of the rear alternator bearing. This does the same job and eliminates the danger of messing with moving pulley/shaft and fan belt. This only tells you that the rotor is getting power,so regulator,brushes and rotor are working.If the stator or rectifier is bad,the alternator will not charge even if the rotor is powered,but it still is some indication that the alternator should be working.

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TheRealRon

09-03-2004 09:13:24

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 08:43:58

The "charging meter" on modern Chevy trucks is a volt meter. Get a mechanic with a DMM to test the output voltage of the alternator. If it low, it's only a matter of time before you get stranded and have to buy a new battery and alternator.

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Allan in NE

09-03-2004 09:20:43

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to TheRealRon, 09-03-2004 09:13:24

Mornin' Ron,

I can't imagine both the battery and the delcotron going bad at the same time; but I guess stranger things have happened.

Allan

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RAB

09-03-2004 09:29:21

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Allan in NE, 09-03-2004 09:20:43

Ron is right in what he says. If the batery is being charged at a lower voltage than design, the cells could easily get "sulphated" and not take charge when the alternator is finally replaced. Modern automotive batteries do not last long if continually under-charged.
Regards, RAB

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Allan in NE

09-03-2004 10:02:44

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to RAB, 09-03-2004 09:29:21

RAB,

Yeah, right; whatever you say. :>)

Allan

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Jrry

09-03-2004 09:19:56

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to TheRealRon, 09-03-2004 09:13:24

thanks Ron, I am delivering a tractor about 150 tomorrow and was wandering if it about to go out immediately or do I have a few days. The guage is a volt meter and the middle range is 14 and the guage is reading about 12.

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TheRealRon

09-03-2004 09:49:59

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 09:19:56

A day or two might not matter; kinda depends on how long it's been going on.

I'll throw another thing on the table here... alternators have a very interesting characteristic. They are quite temperature sensitive. In relly cold weather, the regulated voltage might be as high as 15.5v. In really hot weather, it might be as low as 12.5v. This is not a problem, in fact it's a good thing as a battery needs a faster charge in cold weather to make up for the exterme current loss during cold weather starting.

GM gauges are not exactly very accurate so if it's hot right now where you are, the 12v you are seeing on the gauge might not be a problem. That's why I say get an accurate DMM on it and find out for sure.

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Red Dave

09-03-2004 08:57:20

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Re: OT Question concerning charging problem on tru in reply to Jrry, 09-03-2004 08:43:58

If by "charging meter" you mean the ammeter, then no, it shouldn't stay to the left of center.
Does it go to the center with the truck shut down and the switch off?
If not, will it go to center with the truck shut down, the switch off and a battery cable disconnected?
If no, then it sounds like a bad meter.

If the answer to either question is yes, then it sounds like your charging system isn't working and you are running off the battery, which will only work until the battery is drained.

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