A/C Issue?

[Tobygot]

Hi, I have a 2008 Chevy Silverado. Recently (2 times) I've found if I'm at a stop light with my A/C on, my ABS light beeps.

Last night I was in a drive thru and the ABS and Air Bag lights came on, my speakers (with the volume down on the stereo) sounded like I had a UFO above me, my lights dimmed, my A/C shut itself off, all my gauges went dead, and I thought my truck was going to stall.

As long as I'm driving down the road I don't seem to have a problem.

Does this sound like something a bad A/C condenser would do? I only seem to have this problem when the A/C's on.

Thanks

 

[heyu]

Possibly alt/gen not putting out enough amps and your accessories are running off your battery

 

[Tobygot]

I was thinking the same thing. So if that's the case I should expect the alternator to go out completely soon?

 

[heyu]

That or your battery from not getting enough charge ,Your local auto store should be able to test the voltage/amps for you in the truck or if you remove it and take it in

 

[Tobygot]

Your right, It's been a few years since I had a beater and I forgot I can go to Autozone and they can diagnose a bad alternator. Thanks

 

[TFB1]

Originally Posted By: heyu
That or your battery from not getting enough charge ,Your local auto store should be able to test the voltage/amps for you in the truck or if you remove it and take it in


A lot of work for what one can do for themselves using a $2.98 Harbor Freight digital volt meter...

Basically if the voltage is falling to under 13.5V at idle with accessories operating, the alt output is low... No this doesn't give a reading of exact amperage but as long as voltage stays at 13.2-13.5v, it's charging enough... In cold weather the alt output should be closer to 14v...

 

[yonyon]

This sounds an awful lot like a loose battery cable.

 

[heyu]

Originally Posted By: TFB1
Originally Posted By: heyu
That or your battery from not getting enough charge ,Your local auto store should be able to test the voltage/amps for you in the truck or if you remove it and take it in


A lot of work for what one can do for themselves using a $2.98 Harbor Freight digital volt meter...

Basically if the voltage is falling to under 13.5V at idle with accessories operating, the alt output is low... No this doesn't give a reading of exact amperage but as long as voltage stays at 13.2-13.5v, it's charging enough... In cold weather the alt output should be closer to 14v...


Not everyone like YOU might not be mechanically inclined OR have a harbor freight with disposable tools nearby ,so point being with temps over 100 in AZ right now ,I would think it would be easier for this member to get it checked for free at their local auto store

 

[crazyoildude]

test the voltage it is probably dropping check battery then go from there

 

[Chris142]

X2 on a loose or dirty battery cable.

 

[Donald]

Originally Posted By: Tobygot
Your right, It's been a few years since I had a beater and I forgot I can go to Autozone and they can diagnose a bad alternator. Thanks


A rebuild shop would be better. They have the testing machine plus an oscilloscope.

You can also test it yourself. A basic test with a volt meter. A better test with a carbon pile tester.

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: heyu
Possibly alt/gen not putting out enough amps and your accessories are running off your battery


Agree. Its an electrical issue, since ABS lights and other such things are part of it.

If the compressor was bad and the clutch was somehow shorting, it could cause electrical gremlins... But Id think battery and alternator. GMs have real voltage gauges, what did it show?