1993 Chevy Silverado Variable charge, no dash lights and ru

NORDY

MEMBER
1993 CHEVROLET SILVERADO

Electrical problem
1993 Chevy Silverado V8 Two Wheel Drive Manual 245K miles

My voltage charge varies, sometimes normal sometimes drops to the red zone.

Before, when my voltage drops the dash lights would dim and the gauges would drop or stop working and my speedometer needle would jumps back and forth and my lights would dim.

Now, voltage is still low and drops to the red zone, my dash lights do not work most of time and my running lights to not work most of time, when my dash lights do work so do my running lights. My speedometer needle still jumps around.

I have done the basics:
*New battery (it tested fine, but it was seven years on a five year battery).
*New alternator (tested fine, but I had 215k miles on it so I replaced it)
*Checked the fuses in the fuse box (all are fine).

I figure my dash is bad or there is a capacitor somewhere that needs replacement. Any suggestions other than to get a new truck.

Thanks
Jim

1 Reply

MASTERTECHTIM

MECHANIC
4,749 POSTS

We need to find out why its not charging sometimes. I would first check power at the headlight switch in and out. The brown wire at the headlight switch should have power on it when the headlights are on to light the dash and running lights, if no power there then replace headlight switch. Also check the bulk connector on drivers side of firewall, I find the fat red wire will rot or corrode inside the connector causing all sorts of problems.