Hello,

I am trying to make an informed decision before I start helping the profit margin of the local parts store. Here is a rundown of what I am experiencing in my 2003 6.0 liter 2500HD:

• Fluctuating ammeter at idle in park
  • Not noticing any interior or exterior lights fluctuating in brightness
• In gear my RPMs drop below 500 at idle and the engine tries to die
  • In parking lots I can lose power steering when trying to park
  • At intersections, I have to keep one foot on accelerator and one on brake in order to keep engine going
• Tonight I put a meter on the cable that leads from the alternator to the battery cutoff, and was getting 14 VDC, with no fluctuations

I was wondering if anyone else has experienced these things; or could give me additional troubleshooting steps to try. I have looked online and so far I have seen that it could be:

1. MAF Sensor dirty
2. Voltage Regulator
3. Idle Air Control Valve
4. Dirty injectors

Any help would be most greatly appreciated.

 

That's a voltmeter. Automobiles don't usually have ammeters in the cluster

This and the power steering are probably a result of the low/uneven idle. You can have the alternator load tested for free just to be sure.
There are many possible causes. I would start by running a full diagnostic scan and doing the basic checkup: air filter, spark plugs, fuel pressure, throttle body (plate, MAF and IAC).

 

Thank you, I appreciate the response.

 

Check your battery cable connections to make sure all are clean and tight, and check to make sure that the green grunge disease has not attacked the copper wiring beneath the insulation of your battery cables.

I would also go around the engine compartment looking for the various ground connections for the different circuits, and make sure those are clean and that the fasteners are tight.