Engine/Transmission (1994 - 1998) The good ol' GEN Light.

[bayvalve]

Ok, I searched the forums on this topic, and couldn't really find a definitive answer. Has anyone figured out the fix to the GEN light coming on after about one mile of driving? From what I could tell, there may be a problem with the Grid Heaters, however, some have solved the problem with new Alternators. My volts are reading less than 14, and while it is an older truck, I can't believe that its the Alternator. Any suggestions of what to try first?

The GEN light seems to come on after 3 or 4 minutes of driving. I just installed the AFE mega cannon about a week ago, but I can't see that having any interference with the charging system.

Why does the manual say absolutely nothing about the GEN light?

 

[Howard Durand]

Make sure all battery connections are clean & tight and all ground wires and connections are good.

Then have a good auto-electric shop run a load test on your batteries and an output check of the alternator.



Your low voltage reading and gen light on suggests low output from the alternator which can be a result of poor batteries, a bad alternator or voltage regulator or possibly a loose or corroded connection.

The voltage regulating circuitry is part of the PCM and, if that is the trouble, I believe the PCM would need to be replaced.

 

[TrqMonster]

Low volts

I had a 1991 that the alternator went out and then the voltage regulator. The voltage regulator was very cheap to fix and took about 2 minutes on the 1991. I am not however familiar with anything newer, but my voltage was also below 14 before these fixes. Also check connections and grounds as many times they are easy to spot when something is wrong.

 

[RedSled]

check connections on solenoid

I had the same problem recently, and mine disappeared. Here is what I did. Mine only acted up when it was below 50 outside.



Cleaned all battery terminals (mine had a fair amount of the white stuff).



Checked and tightened all leads coming from the battery.



checked the leads coming from the solenoids (2) under the driver side battery. On mine one of the small gauge wires with the rubber boot was a tiny bit loose. I also cleaned these when I checked them.



After that my Gen light has not come back on (knock on wood)



Good luck.

 

[bayvalve]

Took it to the alternator shop, and 200 bucks later, I'm back on the road... . Thanks for all the help guys.