strange electrical issue while driving today
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 6
From: Ketchikan, AK.
strange electrical issue while driving today
hi all.... just thought i would post this and see if anyone else has seen this too... we have had a bunch of snow lately, so driving down the road today in 4hi, headlights/radio on, and defroster on hi, when i pulled up to a stop light, the defroster fan started to slow down.... for maybe 5 seconds or so, then went fast again.... then tonight while i was slowing down to make a turn, i heard the defroster do the same thing again, and the dash lights all went dim.... i thought the truck had stalled, but the tach showed it was running.... so, i made the turn, turned off my foglights, and after a few seconds the lights started to get back to normal... i then turned the radio down, and heard a belt squeek..... but nothing else. i turned my edge unit to show the battery voltage, and it said 14.4 while running, but i didnt get to see it while it was acting up. i had my truck in the shop last week for a possible bad battery, but they said it was fine. if the truck sits for about 5-6 days it will be dead.... im sure its all related, but dont know what the exact cause could be.... ohh, we have been running temps from -10 to 5 F.
sorry for the long winded post, im hoping someone might have some insight.. thanks in advance !!!!
sorry for the long winded post, im hoping someone might have some insight.. thanks in advance !!!!
Senior User
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Flatland, Saskatchewan
I have experieced the same thing while driving in snow. Especially through snow drifts. I have related the problems to the alternator building up with snow temporarily. This causes a disruption in the charging effect, resulting in the loss of power. I have never heard a belt squeak though, maybe you had enough snow to stop the alternator from spinning for a few seconds?
My fathers 05' Chevy does the exact same thing once you manage to get enough snow into the engine compartment. In fact I think all the vehicles I have ever owned have done this at one time or another. I have always chalked it up to normal operation in the snow. Just my .02..
My fathers 05' Chevy does the exact same thing once you manage to get enough snow into the engine compartment. In fact I think all the vehicles I have ever owned have done this at one time or another. I have always chalked it up to normal operation in the snow. Just my .02..
Thread Starter
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 6
From: Ketchikan, AK.
i too was thinking about the alternator.... but the snow theory makes some sense... i will have to pop the hood and investigate today.... i do know that both times it has done it i was driving behind someone, and the snow was real fluffy and was getting kicked up by the cars pretty good.... ill give a look around.... thanks guys.
