Battery not charging

[matthoef]

Back in Dec, after a long vacation and my Tahoe being parked for close to 40 days, I returned to a completely drained (and bad) battery. I knew it was going out prior to leaving so I figured I'd just replace it. Picked up a Optima Red Top and life was good until about 2-3 weeks ago. I drove from Delaware down to Central Texas for some schooling for the Air Force and noticed the volt gauge severing fluctuating for maybe 1/2 the drive ... didn't think anything of it since all 01-06 Silverados and Tahoes that I've driven have done that. Started having issues starting a week and 1/2 ago. Turn the key, Tahoe tries to start, turns over and then dies like there's no power. On Thursday I go to start the Tahoe and everything dies. No lights, no dings, no nothing ... take the key out, take a deep breath and try to start the damn thing. It started and I've had intermittent starting problems ever since. Everything I've read says that the alternator is probably the culprit. Since it's dead right now I can't troubleshoot anything ... after class tonight I'll get it jumped and take it to AutoZone for testing. Anyone have thoughts? I've not had any of the normal parasitic draw problems that I've been reading about (lights, AC, etc staying on). Any insight would be incredibly welcome.

 

[comerz1]

First thing I would look at before looking to your expensive alternator, would be your battery cables. Check the connection at the battery, but what I have also seen is severe corrosion (especially on one that has sat a while) just past the end of the insulation where the battery terminals are. Electricity travels on the outside of each strand, so if there is corrosion you don't have a clear path. You may need to replace both positive and negative. Hope that helps.

Oh btw, Optima red tops are crap for a vehicle not driven on almost a daily basis. We build street rods as a profession, had to quit using red tops on these cars since they are driven pretty seldom, FWIW.

 

[YukonXL04]

Sounds like a Bad connection to me.

 

[matthoef]

First thing I would look at before looking to your expensive alternator, would be your battery cables. Check the connection at the battery, but what I have also seen is severe corrosion (especially on one that has sat a while) just past the end of the insulation where the battery terminals are. Electricity travels on the outside of each strand, so if there is corrosion you don't have a clear path. You may need to replace both positive and negative. Hope that helps.

Oh btw, Optima red tops are crap for a vehicle not driven on almost a daily basis. We build street rods as a profession, had to quit using red tops on these cars since they are driven pretty seldom, FWIW.

Thanks. I'm going to have the truck jumped and then heading to AutoZone to have them test the battery and alternator. I meant to say it's a Yellow Top (the "best" one at that ... I hope it's not the battery).

 

[oh1yukonslt]

Sounds like a Bad connection to me.

X2 I agree sounds like the cables are not making a good connection.

 

[matthoef]

Ended up being that BOTH the positive and ground cables on the battery were essentially not connected. I guess AutoZone in Delaware hooked me up since it was cold as hell the night it was replaced (all my tools had been packed into storage & they offered to do it for me). Still planning on getting over to AutoZone here and having them checking the charging system for any problems but for now life is good ... thankfully.