EvergreenZ71
Member
I’ve searched through the forum and didn’t find my exact situation though I think I know the solution and am looking for some thoughts before I do it.
2009 Tahoe LTZ 6.2L with dual battery (OEM style - call it RV or PPV) installed by dealership. Both batteries new w/ dual battery installation (Interstate AGM). New engine in August (the one time the bank pushed the aftermarket service contract I actually got my money out of).
Over last month the primary battery has been struggling, progressively more difficult starts and actually had to jump it from the dual battery (OEM dual battery set up on these have no support for starting). Tested battery & alternator at O’Reillys which said battery is good but needs a charge, but alternator was only putting out about 12 volts with the headlights on using their battery tester unit. However, dash voltage shows at over 14 while running and the replacement accessory usb port I installed that has a volt meter matches. I know both of those are more likely to be off than the O’Reillys tool, but I’m thinking that it’s more likely to be a bad ground than a bad alternator, probably not well seated from the engine installation (who also had the oil filter work loose). The engine was done at a dealership, but not my preferred one who had installed the dual battery system. Battery is about 2 years old and charged fine using an external charger.
So my short question: can a bad ground limit the voltage going to the battery and thus prevent it from recharging during driving while allowing it to provide power to start?
My planned solution is installing the Big 3, though I’m a little reluctant to install an addition while there’s a potential for an unknown problem.
2009 Tahoe LTZ 6.2L with dual battery (OEM style - call it RV or PPV) installed by dealership. Both batteries new w/ dual battery installation (Interstate AGM). New engine in August (the one time the bank pushed the aftermarket service contract I actually got my money out of).
Over last month the primary battery has been struggling, progressively more difficult starts and actually had to jump it from the dual battery (OEM dual battery set up on these have no support for starting). Tested battery & alternator at O’Reillys which said battery is good but needs a charge, but alternator was only putting out about 12 volts with the headlights on using their battery tester unit. However, dash voltage shows at over 14 while running and the replacement accessory usb port I installed that has a volt meter matches. I know both of those are more likely to be off than the O’Reillys tool, but I’m thinking that it’s more likely to be a bad ground than a bad alternator, probably not well seated from the engine installation (who also had the oil filter work loose). The engine was done at a dealership, but not my preferred one who had installed the dual battery system. Battery is about 2 years old and charged fine using an external charger.
So my short question: can a bad ground limit the voltage going to the battery and thus prevent it from recharging during driving while allowing it to provide power to start?
My planned solution is installing the Big 3, though I’m a little reluctant to install an addition while there’s a potential for an unknown problem.