2007 Suburban alternatorelectrical problem?

[Adirondacker]

My 2007 Chevy Suburban 1500 has been showing a possible electrical problem on the gauge that shows if the battery is charging. It will randomly fluctuate from above 14 volts down to approx 10 volts. I was driving for 3 hours yesterday. I noticed it drop down in voltage. I stopped and restarted the vehicle and it went up to 14+ volts and then 5 minutes later back down to 10 volts. Stayed there for about 10 minutes and jumped back up. Did it a few more times. Then stayed constantly above 14 for the remaining 2 hours of the trip. Then is seemed fine but then started happening again.

Is there a way to tell if this is my alternator? How?

Could it be some other problem? Sensor or something?

Any thoughts on how to troubleshoot this would be appreciated.

Thanks.

[Jacqson]

My 2007 Chevy Suburban 1500 has been showing a possible electrical problem on the gauge that shows if the battery is charging. It will randomly fluctuate from above 14 volts down to approx 10 volts. I was driving for 3 hours yesterday. I noticed it drop down in voltage. I stopped and restarted the vehicle and it went up to 14+ volts and then 5 minutes later back down to 10 volts. Stayed there for about 10 minutes and jumped back up. Did it a few more times. Then stayed constantly above 14 for the remaining 2 hours of the trip. Then is seemed fine but then started happening again.

Is there a way to tell if this is my alternator? How?

Could it be some other problem? Sensor or something?

Any thoughts on how to troubleshoot this would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Take your truck to a reputable Automotive electrical shop and have the alternator tested. My guess is it's the gauge. The ECM monitors the charging system and if you get voltage fluctuation, it will throw you a code on the DIC.

[Springthing]

I agree that it's the gauge. If the problem happens enough it's an easy check... get a voltmeter and test the voltage at the battery. If the voltage on the gauge fluctuates but the voltmeter stays the same then it's your gauge.

With that year truck, though, you should be able to just take it in under warranty and have them test/fix it.