2010 Silverado not charging all the time.

[cjdavis618]

Got a 2010 Silverado with factory alternator and right now a single Kicker ZX750.1 amp running 4x 8s

Truck cranks fine and charges the battery, but after a while my voltage gauge drops to around 12 volts or less and never charges again. Bass gets muddy like the amp is starving. Alternator will not charge again until I turn the truck off and start it again. Alternator is acting like there is a switch that once it hits a certain voltage on the battery the alternator just shuts off. It did this before the system was put in and I assume this is factory.

I suspect this is PCM controlled and the problem, but if I replace the factory alternator with a high output, will that solve the issue of not charging until I restart the truck?

Anybody else have a late model Silverado/Sierra or a vehicle that does this?

Click to read more...

 

[J31Rob 5,000+ posts]

Chevrolet Silverado 1500: How does the charging system work - JustAnswer

 

---------- Post added at 12:44 PM ---------- Previous post was at 12:43 PM ----------

 

Skim through that. You'll find some of that info quite useful.

 

[ThatChevyGuy 5,000+ posts]

Man, i really hate new vehicles. Give me a carb, not a computer.

 

[cjdavis618]

That is great info. Thanks for that link.

I guess my issue is now determining what my options are for either changing alternators or getting my BCM to realize that the battery is less than 12.5 volts. I have seen it as low as 10.5 over a period of minutes and it wouldn't charge.

Any ideas on if this system can be bypassed and an aftermarket solution can be added?

 

[rebelfromva 10+ year member]

That is great info. Thanks for that link.
I guess my issue is now determining what my options are for either changing alternators or getting my BCM to realize that the battery is less than 12.5 volts. I have seen it as low as 10.5 over a period of minutes and it wouldn't charge.

Any ideas on if this system can be bypassed and an aftermarket solution can be added?

get an alt that turns itself on when the belt spins?

 

[cjdavis618]

Sounds easy huh. I would guess the truck would complain a good bit about that if I replaced the factory one.

Maybe I need to add a second Alternator and feed the second battery outside of the original setup. Probably easier than trying to fool the truck into thinking nothing has changed.