Alternator and Power Steering Issues with my 5.3
 

1971 Suburban
2003 Tahoe 5.3 DBC


I'm not getting anything out of the alternator when I put a tester on the back of it. Thought for sure it was bad, but when I took it up to have it tested at O'Reilly's it came back good. Not sure if it's a ground issue or what.

Also, I have absolutely NO power steering at all. No whine or moan out of the pump. I used the fitting that allows you to use the original pressure hose and wondered if there was a check valve in there. It's almost like there isn't any fluid getting to the gear box. I'll yank off the hoses at the gear box later to check, but just wondered if anybody else had the same problem.

Re: Alternator and Power Steering Issues with my 5.3
 

Are you getting belt-slip on the front accessories? Can you see the p/s pump "churning" the fluid, or does it sit static?

I have seen a couple (not many) swaps in which the idle is set so low (or so erratic) that the alt doesn't put out consistent current...but it would show up as SOMETHING, not just 0.

Are you sure the wiring/plug is correct? There were two styles, depending on the year of the alternator. Originally, I got the wrong one and couldn't make a useful connection to the alt. If you look at my build (somewhere around the first 1/3), I show the alt and the plugs it had (and needed).

Re: Alternator and Power Steering Issues with my 5.3
 

You didn't powder coat your alternator bracket did you? I had a buddy who did that and it completely insulated the alternator from any kind of ground. Cleaned some off where it bolts to the heads and block and it started charging perfectly.

Re: Alternator and Power Steering Issues with my 5.3
 

No slip at all, and the power steering fluid is just static. I took off the return line and it started gushing "chocolate milk". I let it pour it all out and then refilled it. Still no power steering.

I have the right plug and the ground is good on it.


Also, no powdercoating here, just the stock bracket.

Re: Alternator and Power Steering Issues with my 5.3
 

Check the pressure regulator valve & spring under the regulator fitting.
Line-up, Spring on the bottom....Regulator valve with flat face "up"....Regulator fitting.

Re: Alternator and Power Steering Issues with my 5.3
 

With the truck on, the fluid should have some "motion" to it. With the cap off, if I turn the wheel, you can see a little reaction in the fluid. No motion at ALL makes me wonder if
a) pulley is free-wheeling on the impeller shaft. I've never seen it happen, but I've had pulleys dead spin on alternators. Afaik, the pulley CAN seperate from the shaft....check out a pic from a thread a while back on ls1tech.

http://ls1tech.com/forums/attachment...0409-00115.jpg

Re: Alternator and Power Steering Issues with my 5.3
 

sorry for huge pic