Alternator problems

Tiny
GRAMMAJ
  • MEMBER
  • CHEVROLET
Make is Chevrolet 1/2 ton 4x4 1995 with 155,000 miles. I have replaced my alternator three times in the past 6 months. The last time after replacing it it lasted a few days and when driving the truck the lights would dim and the heater fan would fluctuate. I have replaced the battery also. What could be causing this problem?
Wednesday, January 10th, 2007 AT 7:45 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
BACKYARDMECHANIC
  • MECHANIC
  • 337 POSTS
I suspect there is a short somewhere in the the wiring and the circuit that the short is in is not fused. If it was you would be blowing fuses. You need to test for a short in the system. For this test all you need is a 12volt test lamp and a wrench. Make sure prior to conducting the test that all accessories(hood and interior lights, etc) are off or you will get a false reading. Disconnect the postive cable from the battery and connect one end of the lamp to the battery and the other ot the postive cable you just removed. If you get a full bright light there is a short in the car. Now comes the hard part of locating it. I suspect the short is with in the engine compartment because some of these circuits are not fused. Start there and pull and wiggle wires and harness while observing the light to see if it goes on. When it does you have located the wire or harness that is causing the short. One last thing to think about, was anything electrical done on the car after the promblem started. If so looked there first. Good luck :roll:
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Wednesday, January 10th, 2007 AT 8:15 AM

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