So heres the Cliffs on whats going on...
1996 Chevy Suburban K2500 Diesel
does not charge above 14.0VDC (gauge on dash and batteries read the same) batteries look good and new alternator
The whole story...
The truck used to always show 14.2~14.6 volts on the dash. Last week it had a hard time starting, so i checked my gauges and noticed its was only charging about 13.7~14.0 volts. I checked the battery connections on both batteries and grounds in the engine bay, even cut the rubber off the terminals and replaced the botls and everything. No Change! Hooked up to a VAT40 (old school load tester / alternator tester) and noticed the max the alternator would put out was about 75~80 amps so it was weak but not toast. Also showed roughly a 30amp draw at idle (ac/radio/lights/etc were all on) was on Also had it tested at AdvanceAuto and they said it was good. I replaced replaced the alternator due to the fact that I knew from the previous test it was getting weak. No Change! Batteries look fairly new, and both hold a 12.7 volt charge after being disconnected. Also, when tested with a load tester they show over 1300CCA (they are rated at 700CCA each). So i do not THINK its the batteries. i've done a bunch of searching on this and cannot find anything except for that a lot of people have had similar problems, but nobody has posted the FIX.
Please help as this is getting annoying...
1996 Chevy Suburban K2500 Diesel
does not charge above 14.0VDC (gauge on dash and batteries read the same) batteries look good and new alternator
The whole story...
The truck used to always show 14.2~14.6 volts on the dash. Last week it had a hard time starting, so i checked my gauges and noticed its was only charging about 13.7~14.0 volts. I checked the battery connections on both batteries and grounds in the engine bay, even cut the rubber off the terminals and replaced the botls and everything. No Change! Hooked up to a VAT40 (old school load tester / alternator tester) and noticed the max the alternator would put out was about 75~80 amps so it was weak but not toast. Also showed roughly a 30amp draw at idle (ac/radio/lights/etc were all on) was on Also had it tested at AdvanceAuto and they said it was good. I replaced replaced the alternator due to the fact that I knew from the previous test it was getting weak. No Change! Batteries look fairly new, and both hold a 12.7 volt charge after being disconnected. Also, when tested with a load tester they show over 1300CCA (they are rated at 700CCA each). So i do not THINK its the batteries. i've done a bunch of searching on this and cannot find anything except for that a lot of people have had similar problems, but nobody has posted the FIX.
Please help as this is getting annoying...