Alternator Toast?

[bax467]

so my 05 ext cab sits mostly unused for a week in sub freezing temps while i enjoy hawii. driving home from the airport i notice the gauge for the charging system seems high (prolly around 15 volts or so) all the way home 120 miles. Get it checked out at napa and they tell me the alternator or voltage regulator is on the way out. under load the meter is showing about 14.8-15 volts. What gives? just doesn't seem right the 145 should take a dump so early with only 52k on the odometer. normally i would just shake this off but my hoses for the trans cooler are leaking to the point of needing replacement. this is gonna be a hefty bill.......

[superjim]

so my 05 ext cab sits mostly unused for a week in sub freezing temps while i enjoy hawii. driving home from the airport i notice the gauge for the charging system seems high (prolly around 15 volts or so) all the way home 120 miles. Get it checked out at napa and they tell me the alternator or voltage regulator is on the way out. under load the meter is showing about 14.8-15 volts. What gives? just doesn't seem right the 145 should take a dump so early with only 52k on the odometer. normally i would just shake this off but my hoses for the trans cooler are leaking to the point of needing replacement. this is gonna be a hefty bill.......

 

 

 

If it keeps running at 15 volts, it is gonna fry your battery by constantly overcharging it.

 

If the new alternators are like older ones...the voltage regulator is inside and held in place with a couple of small screws. After getting the alternator off of the truck, it is fairly easy to replace the voltage regulator. At the same time, you can replace the brushes ..(if needed)

 

Probably 20 or 25 bucks for the regulator if you do it yourself.

 

If you want it totally redone, I would recommend finding a local place that rebuilds starters and alternators. probably less than a 100 bucks.

 

That way you can get it completely redone and have quality parts in it vs a cheap China rebuilt one from the parts store that may or may not last.

 

Just my 2 cents.

[Zembonez]

Sounds like something has taken out the regulator. It is unusual at that low mileage but given the harsh environment that these parts live, in it does happen sometimes.

[jrrod2004]

maybe you should get one of these setups:

 

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/gmtriplet.html

 

[Draenor]

maybe you should get one of these setups:

 

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/gmtriplet.html

 

Damn, you could probably run a small town on this setup.

[Spurshot]

A brand new alternator typically charges at about 14.7 volts in my experience.

[jrrod2004]

maybe you should get one of these setups:

 

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/gmtriplet.html

 

Damn, you could probably run a small town on this setup.

 

 

 

or let it go to waste...I find this setup quite appealing though...i guess simply having that much power on tap is kinda like having the most towing capacity...you can never have too much

[bax467]

well texas jim i decided to go your route. on my way home from work i dropped it off at my dealer. they are gonna pull off the alternator and bring it to a local guy to rebuild the alternator and replace the regulator. i figured even though its probably the alternator i might as well get new brushes and bearings while it is off. sounds like he is gonna charge me $130 bucks for everything since he said i have the largest alternator offered by gm? anyways, while that is getting taken care of they are putting on the new transmission cooler line hoses....thanks dudebros

[Zembonez]

well texas jim i decided to go your route. on my way home from work i dropped it off at my dealer. they are gonna pull off the alternator and bring it to a local guy to rebuild the alternator and replace the regulator. i figured even though its probably the alternator i might as well get new brushes and bearings while it is off. sounds like he is gonna charge me $130 bucks for everything since he said i have the largest alternator offered by gm? anyways, while that is getting taken care of they are putting on the new transmission cooler line hoses....thanks dudebros

At least you know it will be right that way. Being able to trust the repair is worth a little extra $$$.

[bax467]

maybe you should get one of these setups:

 

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/gmtriplet.html

 

Damn, you could probably run a small town on this setup.

 

 

 

or let it go to waste...I find this setup quite appealing though...i guess simply having that much power on tap is kinda like having the most towing capacity...you can never have too much

 

 

that setup is super cool, if i still ran big stereos that would definately be an option for me. now here is one for you guys.............just got off the phone with my service manager and he advises me that their is nothing wrong with my alternator/regulator setup. he went on to explain that their was a TSB in july '08 addressing this exact problem of overcharging on the "new style" alternators. you guys aware what this one will be? he said he would give me the info and explain further when i pick the truck up. man i love the idea of not having to spend more money!

[Spurshot]

maybe you should get one of these setups:

 

http://www.nationsautoelectric.com/gmtriplet.html

 

Damn, you could probably run a small town on this setup.

 

 

 

or let it go to waste...I find this setup quite appealing though...i guess simply having that much power on tap is kinda like having the most towing capacity...you can never have too much

 

 

Probably need a 6.2 just to turn all those.

[superjim]

that setup is super cool, if i still ran big stereos that would definately be an option for me. now here is one for you guys.............just got off the phone with my service manager and he advises me that their is nothing wrong with my alternator/regulator setup. he went on to explain that their was a TSB in july '08 addressing this exact problem of overcharging on the "new style" alternators. you guys aware what this one will be? he said he would give me the info and explain further when i pick the truck up. man i love the idea of not having to spend more money!

 

 

Thats good.

You are lucky.

Sounds like you found an honest man.

They seem to be few and far between these days.

[slemmer]

can anyone provide the TSB that references the ovecharging issue?