With cold months coming, vehicles often suffer, the most general case is to have difficulties starting your GMC Sierra early in the day with very low temperatures. Generally this is related to problems recharging the battery of your GMC Sierra . There are several factors that can explain why your battery does not recharge correctly anymore, and in this article we will try to help you to solve this problem that can prevent you from using your car. To get this done, first we will explain how recharging your car battery functions, then the different problems of recharging a GMC Sierra, and at last how to recharge an empty car battery.
How does recharging the battery of a GMC Sierra function?
Before we detail the different problems of recharging the battery on a GMC Sierra , we will explain to you how its recharging system functions so that you can understand the problems you are struggling with. A car battery functions like a phone battery, it will store energy to start your GMC Sierra , turn on your headlights, enjoy music, lower your power windows… Nevertheless all these actions will consume energy and it may possibly deplete the energy reserve that your battery can store. To get over this problem, the engineers have produced a component called the alternator , this component will use the energy created by the engine unit of your GMC Sierra to produce energy thanks to a copper coil and a magnet. This energy will recharge the battery of your car . Nevertheless, consider that this process can just work when your car is running, using electrical components of your car when it is stopped will drain the energy reserve of your car. It is considered that a battery of a xxx has a life span of 3 to 5 years.
Problems recharging a GMC Sierra’s battery
We will now describe the different battery charging problems on a GMC Sierra you might be victim of. If your battery is not recharging because there is necessarily a problem in your electrical installation, we will now see the different cases.
Battery charging problem on GMC Sierra: My battery is discharging even if I am recharging it with a particular charger
In this first case, it is quite possible that your alternator is dead , in truth, if you manage to recharge your battery with a charger and your GMC Sierra to start, the problem certainly originates from your alternator which should not be able to produce any more current.
Battery charging problem on GMC Sierra: My car shuts off and does not start even if I have charged the battery
If you have recharged your battery and you have been able to start your GMC Sierra but it switches off while you are driving and then does not start, the problem with recharging the battery of your GMC Sierra is that your battery no longer holds the charge .
Battery charging problem on GMC Sierra: My battery is discharged nevertheless it is new
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If you’ve just bought a battery and it discharges while you’re driving, the problem most likely originates from your alternator. It cannot originate from your battery, which is new and therefore holds the charge. The second opportunity is that you have a ground somewhere in your electrical system.
How to solve the problem of battery charging on GMC Sierra?
We will now give you the solutions according to the problem you are struggling with. Here are the different problems and their solutions:
- Defective alternator: You can try with basic mechanics to verify it with a pressure gauge to find out if it’s producing power. If it doesn’t, replacing it is the best solution, based on your motor you will pay a few hundred euros. This fix is feasible in the event your alternator is accessible.
- Battery that no longer holds the charge: In this case, the purchase of a new battery is the just realistic solution. Obviously, if you have already recharged it but it is still empty because it is good to be replaced, count between 60 and 100 euros based on your engine.
- Ground in the electrical circuit: If you cannot start your GMC Sierra but your alternator and battery are in good condition, it is possible that you have a ground on your wiring harness and that you lose energy, a verify by a car electrician is in this case necessary.
How to recharge an empty battery of a GMC Sierra
At last, to recharge the empty battery of a GMC Sierra there are just few solutions, using a battery charger is the most efficient solution, you can locate some for 50 to 100 euros at vendors like Oscaro. In any other case you can use cables that will just provide the energy needed to start.
To find more tips on the GMC Sierra, take a look at the GMC Sierra category.
