Battery not charging

Disclaimer: Links on this page pointing to Amazon, eBay and other sites may include affiliate code. If you click them and make a purchase, we may earn a small commission.

Steve Waddington

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Posts
147
Reaction score
114
Location
Burbank, CA
Came out to the car today to started up the car started just fine but I had the message in the display saying battery not charging and look at the gauge on the dashboard and it truly was not charging. Drove down the street got the RPMs up to normal cruising speed, and the battery started charging came up to a red light , idled for s few mins, battery was still charging. Turn off the car, went into the store, came back out, started the car and receive the message battery not charging. Drove the car for a few blocks battery is in fact charging again. Have any of you guys had this issue? Is it my Alternator?
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
26,118
Reaction score
39,067
Location
Stockton, Ca.
could be the alternator is taking a dump, but..... that being said: how old is the battery? and have you cleaned up the battery post's and grounds to the firewall or block?
sometimes corrosion can be hidden even if the battery post's look ok it might be a good idea to take them off and clean them up with a wire brush
also most auto parts stores like autozone, O-Reilly's, etc will test your alternator for free but if it's intermittent they may not detect it.
good luck!
 
OP
OP
Steve Waddington

Steve Waddington

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Posts
147
Reaction score
114
Location
Burbank, CA
I was going to check all the cables... they look clean... but it started pouring down rain again! And then I also remembered, if I do that, I won’t have a radio!! I bought this used and don’t have the code to the radio! If I disconnect the battery, no radio!
 

PG01

Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2016
Posts
14,855
Reaction score
18,183
Location
Up here to the right
I was going to check all the cables... they look clean... but it started pouring down rain again! And then I also remembered, if I do that, I won’t have a radio!! I bought this used and don’t have the code to the radio! If I disconnect the battery, no radio!
Either way, you’re gonna lose the radio oncevthe battery dies on you... stuck at the store with dead battery and no radio or clean grounds, clean cables, new battery and no radio.... easy choice for me. Pretty much any dealer or stereo shop can get around the code anyway..
 

SnowDrifter

Full Access Member
Joined
Sep 5, 2016
Posts
2,439
Reaction score
2,681
Location
Washington. The desert side not the Starbucks side
What's the charge voltage at time of message? Check with a multi meter both at alt, from charge stud to casing, and at the battery, from positive to negative cables.

If note: the cables on these trucks sometimes like to corrode internally and due to the design of the cable, you can't tell from a quick glance. The insulation and connectors look fine but the inside's a mess!
 

Tonyrodz

Resident Resident
Joined
Feb 16, 2012
Posts
31,565
Reaction score
46,958
Location
Central Jersey
You shouldn't need a code. If it's the original radio, as long as the Vin matches its memory there shouldn't be a problem.
 
OP
OP
Steve Waddington

Steve Waddington

Full Access Member
Joined
Aug 27, 2018
Posts
147
Reaction score
114
Location
Burbank, CA
Started the Tahoe this afternoon. Was like nothing ever happened. No message, the gauge showed charging at 14, so I figured we’re ok for now. Went to the first gig, no problem, packed up and was driving to the second gig, and “ battery not charging”, the icon red light was on the dash and the gauge was almost on zero... dash light flickers, I pulled over to the curb and... dead! Waited almost two hours for AAA flatbed, got it home, switched gear to g/f’s car and made it up the 2nd gig just in the nick Of time!
Ok.. so now back home and looking at auto zone website, new Duralast Gold, 145 amp and new, not Reman, part DLG1923-16-4. Says it fits my Tahoe.
The AC Delcos are all Reman.
What do you guys think? New vs Reman?Might need a new battery now too.
 

Doubeleive

Wes
Supporting Member
Joined
Nov 7, 2017
Posts
26,118
Reaction score
39,067
Location
Stockton, Ca.
A NEW AGM is $160 from rockauto I think they have the best price, autozone probably has one local for $180 plus a core
 

Forum statistics

Threads
132,200
Posts
1,863,836
Members
96,721
Latest member
01GrnMchn
Top