Hi,

Recently my voltage gage showed about 12V (normally 14V) and the battery light was lit. I assumed I had a shorted battery cell and replaced the battery. The voltage now shows 14V when I am driving but when I come to a stop (with the van in gear) the voltage drops to just below 13V. Also the turn signals flash at normal speed when the voltage shows 14V (while driving) but the flashing speeds up when the voltage drops to 13V (when at a stop sign for example).

Are there any experts here that can offer some insight. I am afraid that something else (besides the battery) has failed.

Thank you,

Jason

 

It's kind of hard to tell without knowing the year and model but it sounds like your alternator is worn out. Consider getting your charging system checked out.

 

The Van in 1999 G1500. Sorry. Forgot important details. Thanks for your reply.

 

The alternators in those days were the two-wire kind, one wire to the battery positive terminal and the other to the I/P cluster. It's grounded through its housing, through the engine block, and then to the battery negative terminal. With the engine idling, carefully check the voltage between the BAT post on the back of the alternator and a clean metal surface of the engine block. I think you should see at least 13.2V. If not, the alternator is not keeping up with the demand.