Problem with 2002 Silverado

[bobcat]

My 2002 Silverado is having some sort of electircal issue. Last weekend, on Saturday evening, the battery light came on as I was driving home. It didn't stay on constantly but would come on for a while then go off, then come back on, and so on. I put the battery charger on it when I got home and it was charging as if the battery was almost entirely dead.

The next morning the battery was fully charged, and my brother came over early and we took it hunting. Luckily we only had to drive about 10 miles. Didn't have any problems until I got home and then went to leave again with the kids and wife. When I backed out of the driveway it died right in the middle of the street. We jump started it with my wife's car.

It started right up and ran fine, so we continued on to where we were going. Got about 1/4 mile and the windshiled wipers quit working, the fan for the defrost quit, the dash lights went out, pretty much everything electrical was dead. I hurried up and turned it around and drove home. Just got to the driveway and it died again, and I was able to coast into the driveway.

I jump started it again, and drove it to the back of the house where my detached garage is, which is where I normally park it. Put the battery charger on it again overnight. The next day I was at work and my uncle came over to check it out for me. He said it started up fine and ran fine. But after a little bit, it began running like crap. Like it wasn't getting enough fuel.

He ended up taking out the alternator, and he went to the store and got a new one. He put the new one in and started it up but it was still running terrible. So he took the new alternator back and returned it to the store.

We've got a friend who is supposed to come over sometime with a code reader. But until then, does anyone have any idea what the issue could be? I figured for sure it was the alternator, or if not that, the battery. The battery is 6 years old. The alternator is the original and the truck has 130,000 miles on it. My uncle says it's not the battery and not the alternator, but I'm not sure about that. I do wonder why the truck is barely running now, if it's only an alternator or a battery issue.

[10thmountainarcher]

I had a 2006 Lincoln mark lt do the same thing to me. Ended up being a wire grounding out on metal every once in a while.. I found the wire fixed the problem right away..

[BNAElkhntr]

If you have a digital volt meter read the volts when truck is running above 14.0 volts then when off   above 13 volts or take too O'reillys they can tell you if either one is bad   The  stalling might be a fuel filter

[bobcat]

If you have a digital volt meter read the volts when truck is running above 14.0 volts then when off   above 13 volts or take too O'reillys they can tell you if either one is bad   The  stalling might be a fuel filter

So if it was a bad fuel filter, is it just a coincidence that it happened at the same time as the electrical problem?

[bobcat]

Okay, I checked the voltage, it's 12.3 not running and 14.97 while running.

[whacker1]

Is it the original battery?  battery cable may be corroded inside and not conducting electricity?  I wouldn't rule out the alternator

[bobcat]

No, it's not the original battery, but the battery is six years old. My uncle took the alternator to the auto parts store, intending to have them check it. But, they didn't have the correct connctor for that particular alternator so they couldn't test it. I know, right? An auto parts store that can't test an alternator? WTH?

So he ends up buying a new alternator for $150, brings it back and installs it. Starts up the truck and it still is running like crap, like it's starving for fuel. So he decides the alternator isn't the issue, and takes the new one back for a refund.   

[jackelope]

Take the alternator somewhere and have it bench tested. If you've got a napa or something like that. Don't go to Oreillys unless you feel like those guys know what they're Your runability issue will not be a fuel filter.

[6x6in6]

What jackelope said first.

My gut says your 6 year old battery has had possibly a bad cell in it and now you have lost another cell or more.  Chevy's have a number of computers to run various aspects of the truck.  If they are not getting the proper voltage then this may cause your run ability issues too. 

[270Shooter]

My ford did all of the things you mentioned when the alternator went out. I would get it tested.

[snowpack]

fuel pump relay?  Fuel pressure regulator?  The ground wires for the fuel pump--one near the gas cap from inside another from by the frame and front of the bed?  They can get corroded and then give inconsistent grounding especially if mud/dirt from driving logging roads gets on them.  Then it randomly kills the fuel pump.

[bobcat]

Thanks guys. That makes sense that the computer might be affected. I was thinking it wouldn't hurt to just replace the battery and the alternator, even if they both aren't bad. I couldn't figure out how a battery and/or alternator would cause it to run rough like that. I'm hoping it's only the battery or alternator.


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[jackelope]

With all the electronics now, a lack of electrical power will cause all sorts of weird issues.

[carpsniperg2]

My family runs a lot of them and the gmc's. I have a 03 gmc they are know for electrical problems. Great otherwise but mine does not have a working battery gauge and fuel gauge. It needs a new cluster. I kno my uncles have had many and have many in the company and they have had  a ton of fuel pump problems with there Silverado's. Kinda a very common thing from what they have told me and when my gauges went goofy I wondered about the fuel pump. Lucky for me it's just a cluster and does not effect the truck running.

[bobcat]

fuel pump relay?  Fuel pressure regulator?  The ground wires for the fuel pump--one near the gas cap from inside another from by the frame and front of the bed?  They can get corroded and then give inconsistent grounding especially if mud/dirt from driving logging roads gets on them.  Then it randomly kills the fuel pump.

Those are some good ideas as well. The only thing that's ever been replaced on my truck is the fuel pump.

Well, this weekend I will have time to get the alternator tested. And I guess I'll just buy a new battery if the alternator tests out okay.

If that doesn't solve the problem maybe the code reader will help? But I'd guess not. If it's some sort of grounding issue. 


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