Alternator Question

antgtoguy389 · April 26, 2008

I have an '04 Silverado 1500 4x4 with a 5.3 litre V8. My truck has about 115K on it now and has been trouble free. My questions are I have noticed recently that my driving lights are dull and my interior lights flicker. My battery is about 1 year old. I am thinking it is the alternator. Does this sounds like a good guess?

My second question is how do I determine what amp's my alternator is? The guy at NAPA said it can either be 80 amp or 100 amp. Can someone please shed some light on this matter? Thank you.

ColoradoSkiCountry · April 26, 2008

Go take it to have the alternator checked, why replace something that may not be broken? If your wanting to replace the Alternator as a type of preventative maintenance thing, thats cool, but that may not solve the problem.

Zembonez · April 26, 2008

Check your battery cables. These trucks are notorious for corroding cables. The bad part is that they corrode inside the cabling where you can't see it. Over time this builds up resistance in the cable...

Check the alternator but you may just need to replace a cable.

LSUSilverado · July 26, 2008

I have an '04 Silverado 1500 4x4 with a 5.3 litre V8. My truck has about 115K on it now and has been trouble free. My questions are I have noticed recently that my driving lights are dull and my interior lights flicker. My battery is about 1 year old. I am thinking it is the alternator. Does this sounds like a good guess?
My second question is how do I determine what amp's my alternator is? The guy at NAPA said it can either be 80 amp or 100 amp. Can someone please shed some light on this matter? Thank you.

I own a 2001 Silverado and have the exact same symptoms...flickering lights (cab and headlamps). It is not extreme, but very noticeable. I've had my alternator tested and my battery is fairly new.

My question is have you fixed or found the cause of this problem?

Thanks in advance,

Mitch

bossier62guy · July 26, 2008

I have an '04 Silverado 1500 4x4 with a 5.3 litre V8. My truck has about 115K on it now and has been trouble free. My questions are I have noticed recently that my driving lights are dull and my interior lights flicker. My battery is about 1 year old. I am thinking it is the alternator. Does this sounds like a good guess?
My second question is how do I determine what amp's my alternator is? The guy at NAPA said it can either be 80 amp or 100 amp. Can someone please shed some light on this matter? Thank you.

I own a 2001 Silverado and have the exact same symptoms...flickering lights (cab and headlamps). It is not extreme, but very noticeable. I've had my alternator tested and my battery is fairly new.

My question is have you fixed or found the cause of this problem?

Thanks in advance,

Mitch

Do like the clown said and thoroughly inspect the battery cables at the connectors. The corrosion occurs inside the cable near the connector and is not noticeable unless you look closely. Was your factory installed battery leaking at the terminal? BTW, you should have at least a 105 amp alternator or greater.

Mikeee · July 27, 2008

Have you tested with a VOM?

A $10.00 tool at Wally World.

Check the battery voltage with engine off.

Check battery voltage with engine running.

Check voltage at the alternator.

Take the battery cables off the battery and inspect them using a bright light.

Dip the cable ends in a hot water/baking soda mix. If it bubbles, you have corrosion.

Mikeee · July 27, 2008

I have an '04 Silverado 1500 4x4 with a 5.3 litre V8. My truck has about 115K on it now and has been trouble free. My questions are I have noticed recently that my driving lights are dull and my interior lights flicker. My battery is about 1 year old. I am thinking it is the alternator. Does this sounds like a good guess?
My second question is how do I determine what amp's my alternator is? The guy at NAPA said it can either be 80 amp or 100 amp. Can someone please shed some light on this matter? Thank you.

I really hate it when someone comes in here and makes one post asking for help and never comes back.

Thoughtless b@stard.

bossier62guy · July 27, 2008

I have an '04 Silverado 1500 4x4 with a 5.3 litre V8. My truck has about 115K on it now and has been trouble free. My questions are I have noticed recently that my driving lights are dull and my interior lights flicker. My battery is about 1 year old. I am thinking it is the alternator. Does this sounds like a good guess?
My second question is how do I determine what amp's my alternator is? The guy at NAPA said it can either be 80 amp or 100 amp. Can someone please shed some light on this matter? Thank you.

I really hate it when someone comes in here and makes one post asking for help and never comes back.

Thoughtless b@stard.

I agree and it happens quite frequently. Did some research here last week and it's amazing at how many threads seemed to be similiar w/ the symptoms I was experiencing on my dad's truck and then NOTTA a damn fix noted....