2011 chevy charging
 

okay there are alot of people on this site that do this for a living. not me. but i was fortunate to receive a new 2011 chevy as a work truck. i personally own an 84 K10 and a 2001 tahoe. i have had the truck since tuesday and noticed last night that the charging guage goes down to about 11-12 instead of the normal 14. i didn't know if this was normal with some type of high tech charging system, or if the alternator is already going out. i have only put 650 miles on it. of course the saleman didn't know anything and they don't have techs in on saturday.

Re: 2011 chevy charging
 

Sounds pretty normal. The newer trucks have a feature that only turns the alternator on when its needed. For a test. If you turn on your headlights or put it in tow haul it should turn the alternator on all the time.

Re: 2011 chevy charging
 

i thought that is what it might be, but the sales guy seemed to think it wasn't normal, go figure.

Re: 2011 chevy charging
 

my 2003 Tahoe does the same thing but mine also has a slight flicker/pulsing to the PRNDL, info center, and Climate control displays. Ironically the radio and dash light are night affected. Im lost on this but i also dont know if this is normal.

Re: 2011 chevy charging
 

That is not normal, GM didn't start using the on/off alternator until 07. First guess would be your alternator is on its way out. Post up in the 99-06 section so our specialists can chime in;)

Re: 2011 chevy charging
 

its a new alternator but i questioned it just from past experience. I also have a new instrument cluster which didnt change the pulsing. I read a tsb once on a feedback issue from the alternator that might cause transmission shifting issues and was wondering if that might have something to do with it. I will post this in the 99-06 tomorrow.

Re: 2011 chevy charging
 

My 10' and co workers 10' Do the same thing. I checked my charging system and it putting out 12.5 volts. In trailer mode it charges at 14v. dealer told me thats what they do. I took my truck back with 300 miles on it and was like wtf.

Re: 2011 chevy charging
 

Normal. Drive it.