Gen Light illuminated

[rrb6699]

Upon driving home yesterday my gen light came on. Although I'm sure it refers to the alternator, what should I check before assuming the alternator is having a problem? Upon returning home I shut the vehicle off for about 30 seconds then restarted it on the Gen light did not illuminate.
I'm assuming if it came on once it will return. What else should I check before assuming the alternator is not a problem?

I am driving a 30 mi round trip today and will update either way if I see the light again. could a slip of the belt cause this to happen? meaning the belt slipping just enough to illuminate the Gen light?

it hasn't thrown any code. I do have an ongoing '43' code that causes the check engine light to go on but, that seems to go off then come back when some condition happens I have not discovered yet.

I'm sure the two issues are probably not related.

 

[Nysm1]

Upon driving home yesterday my gen light came on. Although I'm sure it refers to the alternator, what should I check before assuming the alternator is having a problem? Upon returning home I shut the vehicle off for about 30 seconds then restarted it on the Gen light did not illuminate.
I'm assuming if it came on once it will return. What else should I check before assuming the alternator is not a problem?

I am driving a 30 mi round trip today and will update either way if I see the light again. could a slip of the belt cause this to happen? meaning the belt slipping just enough to illuminate the Gen light?

it hasn't thrown any code. I do have an ongoing '43' code that causes the check engine light to go on but, that seems to go off then come back when some condition happens I have not discovered yet.

I'm sure the two issues are probably not related.

Check your alternator when its warm, but look for 14.3v from the alternator to the battery. When the alternator is cold it may work right, but once warm it maybe dying. Also, if you don't have a multimeter, you can go to any autoparts store and ask for a electrical system test. Explain to them that the light is illuminating and you need the charging system tested.

Sorry if that sounded like a bunch of rambling, its too early to be thinking about cars haha. (Only day off this week)

Sent from my SM-G955U using Tapatalk

 

[rrb6699]

ok I have a multi-meter. it did seem to happen when it's warmed to operating temp. I'll know today if I it's goin to happen again. just making the trip now.

could this be related to the erratic idling only when at operating temp and if I let off the gas suddenly like when coming to a stoplight.?

I have a seperate post started for that.

 

[Ghostman]

Check your battery/alt connections, make sure they're clean. Keep an eye on alt gauge charging.
As Nysm1 said, if you have multi-meter you can check your voltage periodically. Or take to auto parts store and ask them to test it.

Yes, it could effect your idle, if it is only kicking in periodically, phasing in and out. Your idle will change.

 

[WilliamS]

Regulator or Alternator is going bad. My memory might be as well, but pretty sure its all built into the alternator housing. Once it gets hot its likely not putting out enough voltage throwing the light and your basically running on the battery. Might work for a while but not forever.

 

[rrb6699]

drove 15 miles first half of trip. no Gen light.
no check engine like for the 43 code either.

 

[rrb6699]

12 second half of my trip today generator lights coming on all the time now I will check to see if I'm getting voltage to the battery for charging. But, other than that I'm going to pull a $10 alternator from the junkyard just to see if that fixes the problem.

 

[rrb6699]

well I'm beginning to dig thru stuff. gonna clean batt terminals first. hooked up to a charger and it took a charge but, the battery didn't seem like it drained much. the only thing I use daylight hours is brake lights and signals (when necessary till I fix)

oh what wire can check at the batt terminal? i have never tested charging with a meter. would I just connect the leads to positive and negative, start, then note voltage? maybe turn headlights on after a minute?

 

[rrb6699]

it was the alternator. once I fixed it (after 2 alternators (used) didn't work, I found a 3rd off a low mileage 96. works like a charm. I might add I can change an alternator in 15mins now after 3x.
notes: - no more check engine 43 code.
-heat works better (blower motor stronger)
-headlights brighter and seems to run better

the alternator that went bad must not have been putting out normal voltage. it was goin bad or was bad since I got the truck last Sept.

I plan to order a new serpentine belt and use this one as a backup.

glad this was the problem and nothing else.

rr