GC Charging System Troubleshooting

[cdaigle430]

So, an update... First test was for the fuses. The 40A slow-blow fuses defy a test light and so it was a continuity test that revealed that one of the two 40A fuses was gone. Looked fine, and when reviewing the charging problem before purchase, I tried to test the fuses, but the owner did not have a working test meter. Then a neighbour came over and with his "years of experience" said the cause of the charging light issue was the alternator. It's possible I did not need to replace the alternator, but oh well...

Once the new $4 fuse was installed, 14.5 volts at the battery!

I can only hope every issue I encounter is solved this quickly, and without me missing it the first time.. :guilty:

Thanks for the advice.

Glad you found it I was leaning towards the battery cause its getting old and to me was the weakest link. Ive seen them even pass load tests before when they were bad Few of us are experts and even the experts get thrown a curve once in a while so NO-ONE should be getting personal about troubleshooting. Sometimes we replace a part based on best educated guess, thats just the way it is. Not the most efficient way but unlike experts we dont have all the tools to troubleshoot.

This forum is great for advice and support. The only failure is one where we just give up!

 

[cdaigle430]

Is that three "crank and start the engine" cycles, or three attempts to crank the engine for one start?

Sorry for the confusion, three 5 second cranks in a row before engine start. In the winter I would not be able to start it if it weren't for the engine block heater on this battery without using a jump start.