Figured out how to keep steady voltage

[Kenny D]

No



It did, I'll be checking this on the Silvy now...

I was talking about this mod with him and he said, lets try it. He killed his truck and we unplugged it. He cranked it up and it was around 14, his digital meter was reading 13.7 and then after about 3 or 4 minutes, it dropped to 12.6 and it stayed there for a while. There was basically no change when he revved up. It did return to 13.7 but it would still fluctuate at idle. I haven't had the chance to speak with him to see how it is now or if he plugged it back in, but I will update once I speak with him.

 

[denalianyone]

Glad I found this sticky before dropping some coins on a new alternator. Now my readings range from 14.3-14.9 constantly even with headlights and radio on. Thx to idatalink with my nex4300, I can see the precise numbers while driving.


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[Nosho47]

How does this work with aftermarket alternator? When i startup my tahoe with my stock alternator, voltage starts up at 15.7 and gradually goes down to 13.2v. With my 370 amp alternator, it starts up at 16.3 and goes up to 16.8 and then goes down when i put it un gear. The problem with that is amp amplifier goes into protect because of the voltage being to high. Will removing that one connector help?

 

[puckhead]

I will be doing this tonight. They try to over complicate things and make it difficult for those of us who want to keep these a while.

 

[09_4WD_YUKON]

Lights still flicker after doing this. Will be adding Big 3 wiring to it soon to see if that helps.

 

[mikeyss]

I had mine unplugged before and didn't really notice a change. I have dual batteries and the only weird thing I notice is in the morning when I start it and let it run, the interior lights have a very slight flicker. It does this regardless of that thing being plugged in or not. So I just leave it plugged in these days.

 

[swathdiver]

My views on this item has changed as I now understand that it is more for extending the life of the battery and alternator and not solely for fuel efficiency.

There are detailed explanations on how this system works in the shop manual and the GM Upfitter's manuals. Look up the key words EPM (Electric Power Management) and RVC (Regulated Voltage Control).

For those of you with radio controlled cars, planes, boats, etc. this is basically a smart charger built into your truck, pretty cool.

 

[09_4WD_YUKON]

Found this on another site..."Voltmeter Fluctuation Condition:
Some customers may comment that the voltmeter is fluctuating between 12 and 14 volts on their full size pickup or utility vehicle. Starting with the 2005 model year, light duty full size pickups and utilities are equipped with a new Regulated Voltage Control (RVC) system. This system reduces the targeted output of the generator to 12.6-13.1 volts when in "Fuel Economy Mode" to improve fuel economy. The generator may exit "Fuel Economy Mode" if additional voltage is required. This will cause the voltmeter to fluctuate between 12 and 14 volts as opposed to non-regulated systems that usually maintain a more consistent reading of 14 volts. This fluctuation with the RVC system is normal system operation and NO repairs should be attempted."

The only thing with mine is that when the voltage drops, the headlights dim significantly. Is this part of the AFM? If so, would turning it off with a tune possibly fix it? What about upgrading to the 160A alternator? Mine has the 145A now.

 

[PG01]

Afm is related to lifters and has absolutely nothing to do with electrical system. Yes a 160amp alt will help but check yer battery first. Have it load tested.

 

[swathdiver]

Is this part of the AFM? If so, would turning it off with a tune possibly fix it?

Not part of AFM. It's controlled by the BCM. On the negative cable right next to the battery is the RVC sensor with a 3-wire plug. If you disconnect it, the alternator will produce full power and I do not think any codes will set.

 

[Beazyva]

Read through this thread, not sure if I saw anyone that did this that has a system comment.

I upgraded the wires, new xs battery and a 2xx something amp ** alternator. I have really noticeable light flickering with bass notes. I figured my upgraded electrical would be able to handle the 1,600watt rms amp.

Has anyone with a system done this and have been problem free for a long stretch of time?

Only a few of the pictures are showing up? Can anyone post a picture of what needs to be unplugged?

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[Beazyva]

Read through this thread, not sure if I saw anyone that did this that has a system comment.

I upgraded the wires, new xs battery and a 2xx something amp ** alternator. I have really noticeable light flickering with bass notes. I figured my upgraded electrical would be able to handle the 1,600watt rms amp.

Has anyone with a system done this and have been problem free for a long stretch of time?

Only a few of the pictures are showing up? Can anyone post a picture of what needs to be unplugged?

Sent from my Pixel 2 XL using Tapatalk

Even though I never did find the plug to unplug. I have helped my light dimming.

My battery died yesterday from sitting for a week, and when I jump started it and drove it about 5 mins later I started getting the service stability trak and traction control and side zone.

I looked on YouTube and saw everyone with electrical issues were adding another ground from the grounding strap on the driver side.

I bought a 3ft(should have went shorter) 4ga ground wire from advance for $7 and went from the grounding strap bolt to the alternator bracket using one of the second battery tray bolts.

No more service messages and my lights hardly dim even playing at a higher volume. I can add a picture if it's needed, but thought I'd might throw this in here if anyone wants to try it.

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[donjetman]

I bought my Yukon a couple of mths ago. I've mainly been working on it, not driving it, until yesterday. One of the things I've done is takeoff the original DR44 160 amp 130,000 mile alternator and put on a new amazon 160 amp alternator. When I took it out for a long hwy cruise I noticed the voltage fluctuating between 13 to 15 while driving. So I went home, put my old original back on, contacted amazon and we're doing an exchange. While I'm waiting for the exchange unit to arrive(UPS), I drove it today and noticed the same fluctuation????? Then I came here and found this thread and discovered that this fluctuation is normal. OOOPS Sorry amazon.
None of our other vehicles past or present do this. Its got to be ******* the Battery. I'll unplug this feature as shown in post #1 and press on. Thanks

 

[swathdiver]

Then I came here and found this thread and discovered that this fluctuation is normal. OOOPS Sorry amazon.
None of our other vehicles past or present do this. Its got to be ******* the Battery. I'll unplug this feature as shown in post #1 and press on. Thanks

RVC is better for the battery than trying to jam continuous juice into it even when fully charged.

 

[PG01]

RVC is better for the battery than trying to jam continuous juice into it even when fully charged.

X2

 

[09_4WD_YUKON]

RVC is better for the battery than trying to jam continuous juice into it even when fully charged.

.
But what about headlight dimming? Do yours do this? Mine still looks like a light show at a rock concert with all of the dimming.

 

[Doubeleive]

.
But what about headlight dimming? Do yours do this? Mine still looks like a light show at a rock concert with all of the dimming.

how old is your battery? if the battery is not that old then maybe try grounding your headlights better (just run a ground from the frame to the headlight ground wire)

 

[09_4WD_YUKON]

how old is your battery? if the battery is not that old then maybe try grounding your headlights better (just run a ground from the frame to the headlight ground wire)

Just changed it about a month ago. It almost seems like an alternator issue, but every time I have it checked it's ok.

 

[Doubeleive]

Just changed it about a month ago. It almost seems like an alternator issue, but every time I have it checked it's ok.

grounding the headlights to the frame may be your solution then, don't cut your factory harness just add a ground to a accessible clean spot on the frame as close as you can. use a multimeter and check to be sure you are grounding the ground wire on each side don't take it for granted that the same color wire is the ground on both sides I have seen them reversed before just a little heads up.

 

[swathdiver]

.
But what about headlight dimming? Do yours do this? Mine still looks like a light show at a rock concert with all of the dimming.

Now that my battery is over two years old I see it happening more often. I had another vehicle with it and it flickered a lot after the first year or so.