power drain
Question:
Here’s a stupid question that I hope someone can help me with. I have a ‘97 GMC Sierra and I notice that when I use my electical equipment (power locks, power windows, etc.) my interior dash and headlights go dim while the windows are being rolled up / down. Lately, this seems to be more pronounced, as I don’t remember having noticed this problem when I purchased the truck (used). I figure its the alternator getting ready to go, but I’m not sure. My truck has almost 90,000 miles, and I assume the original alternator. Could someone tell me if my guess is right? Also, if it is the alternator, would I be better off replacing it with one that is heavy duty? What would be the advantages? What would be a good after-market one to go with? Thanks.
Response:
stop by any major chain parts dealer (AutoZone, Sears, etc.) and they almost all test electrical systems for free. That is the fastest, easiest, cheapest way to make sure it is one thing not another (like a bad ground, or dirty terminal on the battery). — Big Chris mrclm at yahoo.com If God is good, and God gives us life, then life must be good even if we don’t particularly like it. -Rich Mullins
| Here’s a stupid question that I hope someone can help me with. I have a ‘97 | GMC Sierra and I notice that when I use my electical equipment (power locks, | power windows, etc.) my interior dash and headlights go dim while the | windows are being rolled up / down. Lately, this seems to be more | pronounced, as I don’t remember having noticed this problem when I purchased | the truck (used). I figure its the alternator getting ready to go, but I’m | not sure. My truck has almost 90,000 miles, and I assume the original | alternator. Could someone tell me if my guess is right? Also, if it is the | alternator, would I be better off replacing it with one that is heavy duty? | What would be the advantages? What would be a good after-market one to go | with? Thanks. | |
Response:
Big Chris, Excellent advice! NAPA will also test them and I have had great luck with NAPA reman alternators and starters. Dean – Hide quoted text — Show quoted text – > stop by any major chain parts dealer (AutoZone, Sears, etc.) and they almost > all test electrical systems for free. That is the fastest, easiest, cheapest > way to make sure it is one thing not another (like a bad ground, or dirty > terminal on the battery). > — > Big Chris > mrclm at yahoo.com > If God is good, and God gives us life, > then life must be good even if we don’t > particularly like it. -Rich Mullins > | Here’s a stupid question that I hope someone can help me with. I have a > ‘97 > | GMC Sierra and I notice that when I use my electical equipment (power > locks, > | power windows, etc.) my interior dash and headlights go dim while the > | windows are being rolled up / down. Lately, this seems to be more > | pronounced, as I don’t remember having noticed this problem when I > purchased > | the truck (used). I figure its the alternator getting ready to go, but > I’m > | not sure. My truck has almost 90,000 miles, and I assume the original > | alternator. Could someone tell me if my guess is right? Also, if it is > the > | alternator, would I be better off replacing it with one that is heavy > duty? > | What would be the advantages? What would be a good after-market one to go > | with? Thanks. > | > |
Response:
By all means, what Big Chris said. Additionally, some other things to check… Serpentine belt and tensioner. Signs of belt slippage will be evident on the tensioner pulley. The tensioner is equipped with marks to indicate a proper tension zone.
– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> stop by any major chain parts dealer (AutoZone, Sears, etc.) and they almost > all test electrical systems for free. That is the fastest, easiest, cheapest > way to make sure it is one thing not another (like a bad ground, or dirty > terminal on the battery). > — > Big Chris > mrclm at yahoo.com > If God is good, and God gives us life, > then life must be good even if we don’t > particularly like it. -Rich Mullins > | Here’s a stupid question that I hope someone can help me with. I have a > ‘97 > | GMC Sierra and I notice that when I use my electical equipment (power > locks, > | power windows, etc.) my interior dash and headlights go dim while the > | windows are being rolled up / down. Lately, this seems to be more > | pronounced, as I don’t remember having noticed this problem when I > purchased > | the truck (used). I figure its the alternator getting ready to go, but > I’m > | not sure. My truck has almost 90,000 miles, and I assume the original > | alternator. Could someone tell me if my guess is right? Also, if it is > the > | alternator, would I be better off replacing it with one that is heavy > duty? > | What would be the advantages? What would be a good after-market one to go > | with? Thanks. > | > |
