1998 Chevrolet Truck Alternator Light

1998 CHEVROLET TRUCK
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DHAYES31
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  • 1 POST
My son was driving the other day and he could hear what he said was a relay opening and closing and at the same time his alternator light came on. So when I went to jump his car when I put the hot post on the car wanted to turn over with the key in the ignition if you removed the key or turned it to the on position it would stop turning over. Then if you jump across the starter solenoid it will start and run for a while then the charge light will start going on and off again then it will stall.

Thankyou

Dan
Feb 28, 2007 at 3:57 AM
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KASEKENNY
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 18,907 POSTS
If there is a relay clicking along with the charging light then the most common issue is a weak battery and possibly an alternator issue.

Here are a couple guides that will help with this. However, the relay clicks rapidly when it fails or the battery is weak.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/car-battery-load-test

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

Please run through these tests and let us know what questions you have.

However, if they check ok, then we need to test the relay.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-an-electrical-relay-and-wiring-control-circuit

I am attaching the wiring diagram below because if just jumping the starter caused it to start then we need to also check voltage at the starter but I suspect the issue will be the battery so let's start with this and go from there. Thanks
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Aug 19, 2021 at 12:52 PM

Suggested Repair

Load-test the battery and check the alternator first. If both test good, test the clicking relay and voltage at the starter. The expert suspects a weak battery as the most likely cause.

Conversation Summary

The owner of a 1998 Chevrolet truck reported a relay clicking while the alternator/charge light came on. Jumping the battery caused unusual cranking with the key in the ignition, and jumping the starter solenoid let it start, run briefly, then the charge light flickered and it stalled. The expert said a weak battery is the most common cause, possibly with an alternator problem, and recommended battery and alternator tests before checking the relay and starter voltage.

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