Check Battery Charging System In Dic 2008 Sierra

javelin2222 · August 16, 2009

I have a 2008 Sierra that is 11 months old. I just got an error message in the DIC that says check battery charging system. I stopped, checked the batter which seems to be at full charge. The voltage gage indicates that the alternator is not charging and there is a slight whine in the engine. I know this can happen but isn't it unusual for an alternator to go out in 11 months on a new vehicle. And I am assuming that this is definitely and alternator.

bill190 · August 17, 2009

It used to be unusual, but lately I seem to be buying a lot of things which don't last very long!

Zembonez · August 17, 2009

WARRANTY alternator time it sounds like...

javelin2222 · August 17, 2009

WARRANTY alternator time it sounds like...

Yes this is a warranty item. I took the truck to the dealership and dropped it off this evening. The last GMC that I had (2004 Z71), I put 180,000 miles on it and never turned the first wrench on it. I guess that is what surprises me. This definitely caught me off guard.

Zembonez · August 17, 2009

WARRANTY alternator time it sounds like...

Yes this is a warranty item. I took the truck to the dealership and dropped it off this evening. The last GMC that I had (2004 Z71), I put 180,000 miles on it and never turned the first wrench on it. I guess that is what surprises me. This definitely caught me off guard.

That does suck. Not a normal failure but stuff happens. Hopefully it's the only thing you have to deal with! Good luck.

javelin2222 · August 17, 2009

WARRANTY alternator time it sounds like...

Yes this is a warranty item. I took the truck to the dealership and dropped it off this evening. The last GMC that I had (2004 Z71), I put 180,000 miles on it and never turned the first wrench on it. I guess that is what surprises me. This definitely caught me off guard.

That does suck. Not a normal failure but stuff happens. Hopefully it's the only thing you have to deal with! Good luck.

Just got word from the dealer and it was just the alternator.

javelin2222 · August 20, 2009

Does anyone know where the voltage gauge should be be on a 5.3 L V8. The dealer replaced my alternator and now the voltage is running about 15 volts. It has never been that high before.