2003 GMC Yukon Electrical issues

2003 GMC YUKON
140,000 MILES
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MDBEAN
  • MEMBER
  • 2 POSTS
Stopped on the way home last night, came out of the store and truck would not start at all. Entire electrical system was acting weird... sometimes I could get the radio & A/C fan to run, sometimes not. Also, the steering wheel would not lock in place when the key was removed.
I figured the battery was due to die, so I took it out and took it to a parts store to be tested. Test said it was bad so I bought a new one and popped it in.
Truck started right up, but something clearly was not right. The Voltmeter was pegged all the way to the right, and the truck would barely stay running at idle - dash lights would dim, etc. At this point I was convinced the alternator had died.
Got the vehicle home, took the alternator out and took it to a parts store to be tested. Much to my surprise, it passed.
Did not trust the test result, so I took it to a different parts store a couple of blocks away. They tested it twice, and it passed both times.
Any have any ideas?
Jul 22, 2013 at 6:44 PM
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HMAC300
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 48,601 POSTS
check the fusible link in pic from alternator. but also check to see how many volts are going to battery 13.5-14.3 is ok
Jul 23, 2013 at 6:08 AM
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MDBEAN
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So just start it up and measure voltage across the battery terminals?
Jul 23, 2013 at 9:12 AM
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HMAC300
  • CAR REPAIR CONTRIBUTOR
  • 48,601 POSTS
yes and if it's not in the range I sent then check the fusible link and for dirty battery terminal ends. Also if you haven't changed your blet and tensioner do that as 60k is recommended as it could look tight but slip
Jul 23, 2013 at 10:53 AM
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