1995 GMC C1500 Battery light and voltage surge

Tiny
BRETT B.
  • MEMBER
  • 1995 GMC C1500
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 150,000 MILES
First, I recently had a lot of work done to this truck. My dealership replaced the intake gasket (due to a coolant leak). After this was done, they found the need to replace the plugs, wires, distributor, and rotor. It has been running good since.

But now, about a week later, the battery light flickers on and off in a very spiratic manner. I also noticed this morning on my commute to work that every time the battery light came on, my headlights got significantly brighter. The voltage stayed steady at about 13 volts. For the previous few days the voltage stayed at about 14 volts. But yesterday after an hour drive home, the voltage dropped to around 10. (But it was back up to 13 this morning.

Do I just need a new battery? Could the electrical parts swap have caused this problem? Alternator?
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 AT 8:17 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok sounds like you have an alternator or battery problem. I would go to your local Napa or Autozone or a parts store like those that have a charging system tester. They will test you alternator and battery for free and you will know what to replace with out question. As far as the previous work possibly causing this I doubt it.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 AT 8:35 AM
Tiny
BRETT B.
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Thank you for the response. I will take your advice.
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 AT 8:55 AM
Tiny
RACEFAN966
  • MECHANIC
  • 5,029 POSTS
Ok let me know what it turns up and we will go from there ok. Thanks
Was this
answer
helpful?
Yes
No
Thursday, October 9th, 2008 AT 9:03 AM

Please login or register to post a reply.

Sponsored links