93 electrical problem

[lite39]

Hello,
I have a problem with my truck (I love my chevy.... )

I have had 2 alternators installed and a new battery( it was six yrs old).
The reason for changing the alternator in the first place was the bearing seized and was forced to change it.

After having this done the electrical system has gone haywire.

The problem is :

1. Starts fine then the gauge for charging will go up and down and battery indicator on dash will light up then go out. The truck will have sit over night and once it is warmed up(heater on since it is winter) The problem seems to go away for about a day then early mornings it will do it again.

This morning I noticed my speedometer was increasing while in park and reving engine to see if the battery would charge. I am wondering if it maybe the printed circuit behind the instrument cluster.

I have gone to dealership and a great mechanic that are stumped.

I have since found small water droplets under the carpet on my fire wall inside truck under the dash. I am wondering if this could be a problem.( windshield not properly sealed)

I have no experience in troubleshooting this type of problem.

Would a poor ground cause such behaviour?

I also have a trailer light kit and am going to remove it later today.


Thank you in advance for you help.

[junior3382]

Welcome to the Forum:
I was thinking poor ground myself. Perhaps on the alt. However, if you are getting moisture in the cab, there is a good chance there is also an excess under the hood. If the ground wire or even the lead wire on the alt. gets to wet overnight, i could see this problem reoccuring. You say when it warms up it goes away, so that would lead me to think that perhaps there is water where it does not belong. Before you start it in the morning next time, pop the hood and check the terminal connections, you should be able to see visually if they are wet. On a side note, you do have the correct alt right? I mean most vehicles had at least two choices, and the parts store does not always give you the right one for your particular application. Just another idea is all.....

[gmctrucks]

Good thinking about the water it might be hitting your ECU and shorting it out or a bad ground and when you drive it long enough it drys it off to work correct also keep in mind that a bad battery can trick one real bad might get it checked the correct way. Did you know that a bad alternator can draw amps even if your truck is off I just wanted to share this with you members my dad was the one that told me this old trick he's just 82 years young he has had his share of electrical problems working at dealerships as a tech then service manager even having is own shop when he went to take his ASE test well he took them all and passed them all when one does that he's rated a GENERAL im very proud of my dad and were very lucky that he's in good health I can tell anyone here that I love my dad very much being a WW-2 vet he's my hero. Good luck! PS-I just got off the phone with my big brother and I was telling him that being close to GOD from child hood is great which it didn't happen to me but I see young children and young adults that have been around church since they were born it brings so much joy into my heart that GOD is number one in the list im not preaching to anyone but you can't go wrong with GOD. I just wanted to share this with all my friends here and hope that this helps us all just one day out of the week to go to church makes me feel SUPER and seeing this younger generation loving GOD brings joy to my heart. I hope that I didn't offend anyone one here it's just something I have to share with my buds here. Be cool!

[2nd65]

Maybe god will fix it. If not ,ask the dealer where the dash grounds are because there is a good chance that is where the problem LIES

[chevyguy]

Check the ground wires under the cover to the left of the engine on the firewall.

[gmctrucks]

Maybe god will fix it what is meant by that? You must be young I hope GOD always' looks over your shoulder and keeps you safe and does many good things for you.
God Bless! GMC