Alternator?

Status
Not open for further replies.

TechBoyJK

Lifer
Oct 17, 2002
16,699
60
91
Was given a 2006 Trailblazer with 55,000 miles. Runs great, but I noticed the lights/electronics seem touchy. The lights flicker a little bit over bumps, and when I try using any of the electronics, the lights dim pretty noticeably.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZduRnF5NnYc

Time for a new alternator? In the video I'm simply raising and lowering the drivers side window.
 
Sep 7, 2009
12,960
3
0
What's the date on the battery? With that low mileage I'm guessing it wasn't driven often, which can be tough on a battery.

Also disconnect and clean the terminals.

To directly answer your question, it's unlikely to be the alternator.

It's either the battery, the battery connections, or a bad ground.
 

DaTT

Garage Moderator
Moderator
Feb 13, 2003
13,295
122
106
Try the same thing with just battery power. ie. without the car running. Are the effects the same?
 

LTC8K6

Lifer
Mar 10, 2004
28,520
1,576
126
If you have an auto zone or advance auto, they will check your charging system and battery for free.

You could just measure the voltage yourself to get an idea.
 

Zenmervolt

Elite member
Oct 22, 2000
24,514
44
91
The first thing I'd do is check the main ground points. From that video it looks as though you're in an area that gets snow and probably road salt so I wouldn't be terribly surprised to find that the ground connections had corroded, which will greatly increase resistance in the circuit.

ZV
 
Status
Not open for further replies.