I have noticed with cold weather starts (-22°C to -10°C or -8°F to 18°F) that my headlights and dash lights flicker from bright to dim? It seems that the problem is less obvious as the motor warms.

I replaced the Alternator (a warranty replacement, the first was faulty) and also added new battery... because I was worried that the OEM battery got cooked at that time. It was super hot and smelled terrible, I was towing at the time and everything was working hard.

So could it be another faulty Alternator... the mechanic tested and power was fluctuating from 14.4 to 14.6? (Not sure what that means... I'm a Graphic Designer after-all). The mechanic said to bring in the original invoice and the warranty replaced invoice & tags... and said he'll check it over. He also made a comment about perhaps something else in the truck is damaging the alternators. Is this possible?

BTW the Alternators were from Dixie Electric Ltd., Concord, Ontario Canada. And the Battery is an Excide 65-72, 850CCA.

 

Sounds as if the altenator is working fine, that is the correct voltage, 14.4.

 

Why are you starting your truck with the headlights on?

 

In Ontario, Canada all vehicles must have daytime running lights...

 

i cant seem to see the problem here....first off its cold out so that brings the batteries capability down alot plus when cranking a cold engine your voltage is going to drop to probably about 10volts or less...i see nothing wrong

 

This happens in the cold. Cold weather and vehicles just dont go together. Its hard on batteries. So therefore, its just getting everything charged up after sitting is all. And your lights being on, while cold starting doesnt help it any. But to me, this sounds just like a normal cold weather start. Not all trucks/cars, do it, but im sure most will react differently to it. If you think about it, vehicles are like people. We take time to do things in the cold, and we aren't made to live normally in it, we're made to deal with it, to be able to live normal. If thats an ok analogy.

 

The mechanic replaced the Dixie Electric alternator with a new AC Delco rebuilt alternator. The flickering of the lights has almost been eliminated perhaps just a minor flicker. When driving the truck home I noticed that all the lights, fan etc would dim after I released the accelerator. I also noticed that the lights dimmed when I turned the heater on and off.

So what else could be the issue if not the alternator or battery?

 

Do you have UD pulleys?

 

Sorry not that mechanically inclined... can you clarify? Did you mean that, does the truck use 1 universal drive serpentine belt.... Yes, and it is newer replaced early this summer.

 

Sorry, have you installed after market Under Drive pulleys or is everything still stock?

 

Everything is still OEM Stock.

 

How long have you driven it after installing the new alternator? Battery may not be fully charged yet.

 

That hadn't crossed my mind... perhaps you're right and I did have a faulty "Dixie" alternator that wasn't charging fully (with the lights flickering and all). I have only driven about 5 km (3.1 mi) home last night and about 6 km (3.7 mi) back to work this morning. And the temperature overnight and this morning with the windchill is -24°C (-11.2°F).

I'm not sure if this would be enough driving to bring a weaker battery up to full charge? The amp meter in the truck is sitting where it usually is just slight above half...

Maybe I should drive it into and over the weekend and see if things improve before I act too quickly?

 

No, that is not enough to charge a weak battery. need more miles.

 

Not enough miles to fully charge yet.

Windchill only affects people not trucks.