2004 Avalanche... When I bought it, I noticed the voltage gauge was hanging out solid at 13.5V but everything worked properly. I converted to electric fans with 05 fans, a painless wiring controller, new 145 amp alternator, and a new Red Top. I also sent the cluster off to get rebuilt with new stepper motors including trans temp.
When I got it all together I noticed the voltage would drop from 14.5 to 12 with fans activating and fluctuate between 12.5 and 14.5 under normal driving. I replaced the battery ground cable and cleaned all my grounds. Now it fluxuates between 14.5 and 13.5 with a noticeable flicker in exterior lights and interior lights. The flicker has been there since I did all the work.
I cut the fans out of the system and it still does it. If it's warmer than 60 degrees it never reaches 14.5, but the colder it is, the more stable the voltage is at 14.5. I also noticed that as it warms up and voltage drops, the temp gauge also drops below 210. My scanner shows no change in temp, but the needle is less. Voltage at 14.5=temp at 210, voltage <14.5 = temp <210.
So, my question is where does the voltage needle get its input from? What could explain the commonality of temp and voltage? Ground issue at the block? Any ideas would be most helpful! The other electric issues may not be related, but every now and again the unlock button on my remote won't work and then start again, but lock always works. Sometimes the driver side rear door won't unlock with the rest of the doors. I doubt they are related, but mentioning them anyway.
Future work is cutting all the ring terminals off the ground wires and installing new ones. If anyone can help me isolate this to a particular circuit or ground location I will be much appreciative!
Dave
When I got it all together I noticed the voltage would drop from 14.5 to 12 with fans activating and fluctuate between 12.5 and 14.5 under normal driving. I replaced the battery ground cable and cleaned all my grounds. Now it fluxuates between 14.5 and 13.5 with a noticeable flicker in exterior lights and interior lights. The flicker has been there since I did all the work.
I cut the fans out of the system and it still does it. If it's warmer than 60 degrees it never reaches 14.5, but the colder it is, the more stable the voltage is at 14.5. I also noticed that as it warms up and voltage drops, the temp gauge also drops below 210. My scanner shows no change in temp, but the needle is less. Voltage at 14.5=temp at 210, voltage <14.5 = temp <210.
So, my question is where does the voltage needle get its input from? What could explain the commonality of temp and voltage? Ground issue at the block? Any ideas would be most helpful! The other electric issues may not be related, but every now and again the unlock button on my remote won't work and then start again, but lock always works. Sometimes the driver side rear door won't unlock with the rest of the doors. I doubt they are related, but mentioning them anyway.
Future work is cutting all the ring terminals off the ground wires and installing new ones. If anyone can help me isolate this to a particular circuit or ground location I will be much appreciative!
Dave