I have an 2011 Chevy Traverse LTZ with 225k miles. I had the battery saver active message come up yesterday and my voltage was showing lower than normal. I pulled into and advance and run their check and it said that alternator and starter was good but the battery was bad. So I bought a new battery and installed it at home and it did not seem to change the voltage reading. Driving it today and it died on me on the way to work. Swapped the old battery back in to get to my destination and wondering what’s my next steps should be. Bad battery? Alternator really is bad?
thanks for the help
What voltage are you getting? You should show 14+ volts with the engine running, which would indicate that the alternator was charging. My first step would be to get my receipt and go to Advance. Either they sold you a bad battery, they ran the test improperly, or you have a major current drain. They (maybe a different tech) should be able to tell you - and maybe give you a replacement battery.
I would say a bad alternator. If the alternator isn't charging the battery as much as it was before, Then it is likely going out and needs to be replaced.
It's the alternator. Replace it.
Thanks everyone, it was the alternator. Never going to depend on those part shop tests.
I got an another battery and still getting low voltage. Went to another part store and their check said my alternator regulator was bad. Know I am wondering if I have an problem with the alternator or something with the computer system. The Chevy dealers in this area are major crooks so not taking it to them. Is there a fuse on the alternator itself, or disconnect the computer regulator? Don’t want to start replacing a bunch of parts to luck up and find the solution.
measure voltages yourself.
Check connections.
