Battery Light Indicator Flashing u/Acceleration

[JThomas]

Alternator 2years old, battery three weeks old, serpentine belt has approximately 10-15k miles.

Driving the car around town most of the day today. After waiting in car line, for approximately twenty minutes to pick up my son, I notice as I start driving that the battery indicator begins to flash when accelerating through the gears. Once I'm in gear and driving/not accelerating the light goes off. It just seems to flash when accelerating.

Anyone ever had this before? The battery was replaced three weeks ago at the dealership.

[tomtom72]

Hummmm, you did check the cables after the tech got finished? It's either that or the voltage or is taking a "jolt" to wake it up?

:cheers:
Tom

[XfireZ51]

Joe,

Sounds like belt is slipping on acceleration. May want to check tensioner and adjust/tighten if necessary.

[JThomas]

Sorry for the delay. Took the car out this morning, and still had the same issue. Read the remarks here and did the following:

Checked connections on the battery, although I was able to "snug" them up, did not correct the issue. Checked the tensioner. It was very tight, and honestly it is new, installed by Marc Haibeck in May of this year. Checked belt for oil or any other residue, and found nothing. Also checked battery hold down and it was secure.

Took the car back out and the problem persists. Also noticed when the battery indicator goes on the volt meter drops. Readings went from 14.3 to 13.8. At times when sitting at a light the volt meter moves as erratic as a tachometer when giving a car more gas, up/down etc.

The car is now at my local chevrolet dealer, two miles from the house, who also sevice my Z06 and other cars. They have been my "local" source of repair for the ZR-1 since I bought it three years ago.

They think, it could be a bad battery, that they installed three weeks ago. I will keep you posted.

Joe

[GOLDCYLON]

Could be an internal short in the battery. All C4s are battery whores and demand 12.69 Volts all the time or wierd electric gremlins happen all the time. My money is on the alternator. Perhaps the internal regualtor. Any bearing noise or anything heard while running? The reving is what is leading me to this conclusion as an undervoltage. However......

This new battery you have is it a topmount/sidemount combo? If so I have another thought if the Cruise Control Bracket was not modded

GC

[JThomas]

No bearing noise from the alternator, been down that road before, that's why it was replaced two years ago. The battery is a Side mount AC Delco battery installed by the dealer, just three weeks ago. They weren't able to get to the car yesterday, so hopefully I will either have it back Monday or at minimum know what the problem is. Thanks for the feedback.

[XfireZ51]

Joe,

Maybe bad rectifier in alternator?

[JThomas]

Dealer tells me today the alternator is the problem. The one installed two years ago, by a Chevrolet Dealership in Fort Wayne, Indiana is a 120 amp alternator. My Dealer tells me the car requires a 124 amp alternator. Of course GM no longer makes the part but my dealer is able to obtain the correct part through Napa, but it will take 3-5 days.

Part availability and time is of no concern, what frustrates me is the fact I have little to no recourse with the dealer in Indiana, because I have driven the car for two years and some 7,000 plus miles before this alternator became an issue. (Alternator replaced in Indiana while on a caravan to BG, when original alternator failed at 102,188 miles)

ZR-1 ownership, you just gotta love it! :cheers:

[GOLDCYLON]

My money is on the alternator. Perhaps the internal regualtor. Any bearing noise or anything heard while running? The reving is what is leading me to this conclusion as an undervoltage.GC

;)

[XfireZ51]

Joe,

Install an overdrive pulley! HAHAHA.

[JThomas]

Dom:

installing an overdrive pulley defeats my theme of the car, being simply a high mile "survivor ZR-1". I'm trying to keep things as "original" as possible.

Hopefully back on the road by the end of the week. I've still got two months of driving left!

[XfireZ51]

Dom:

installing an overdrive pulley defeats my theme of the car, being simply a high mile "survivor ZR-1". I'm trying to keep things as "original" as possible.

Hopefully back on the road by the end of the week. I've still got two months of driving left!

Joe,

Now you know I was pulling your leg, right? ;) We need to get you over here for pizza or wine and cheese.

[JThomas]

I know Dom, I'm getting use to the FBI crew. :cheers:

And I do plan to get over there and hook up with you guys, the work schedule just hasn't been cooperating. "The list" of things for my car has gotten shorter, but Marc and I talked about a possible plan of attack over the Winter.

[JThomas]

Got the car back today, new "correct" alternator. Running and charging properly. Car seems to be running better?

Now, back to "the list".