2000 Chevy Express 3500 Battery/Alternator Problem (Possible ground issue?)
 

- Battery was slowly losing power (wouldn't start as well over time) so I replaced the alternator.
- Refurbished alternator in, no power at all.
- Find out my battery was actually bad, so i put a new battery in.
- Van starts but for the first time ever the battery light is on and stays on the entire time I drive, dash is only showing 9 or less volts
- Battery drains, van dies, get battery charged and take it to autozone to check the alternator, alternator is completely dead.
- I now have a brand new alternator and a fully charged battery but I've been warned to check all my grounds as that could allegedly be the source of this tail chasing problem.

I've been told this could be a grounding issue, but It could also just be a very unfortunate series of events with getting a bad alternator and all... its hard to say at this point. I just want to make sure all my grounds are good so If anyone knows what all ground points I should check I would be eternally grateful.

Thanks

Battery & alt are like two pillars supporting a structure. When a battery is in really bad shape, the alternator has to work extra hard. If it's already weak, then it can it fail. Likewise with a weak alternator, a battery that never charges fully will start to deteriorate.

Just continue to monitor the voltage. Maybe you've got the problem licked.

main grounding points:
- Battery neg to body
- Battery neg to engine block

and while you're at it

- Battery pos to alternator (also check fusible link here)
- Battery pos to starter