2003 Envoy - Alternator Delay?

Original owner on a 2003 Envoy, had it a little over a year now, fairly satisfied so far. Throwing this out there to see if anyone else is noticing this before I go and ask the dealer.

Anyone notice while starting in the cold (20-30 F) that the electrical system shows less than 10 volts after the start with dim interior/exterior lights? Lasts for 5-15 seconds, then volt meter goes somewhere in the 12-14v range. No problems whatsoever cranking the vehicle which makes me think that it’s an alternator issue or the way the computer handles starting. Never noticed this before in any other GM. Any thoughts?

IM VERY GLAD that Im not the only one with that problem. I almost went out and bought a new Alternator because my 02 Envoy SLT started doing that, when sitting overnight the volt gauge doesnt indicate a charge until about 20 seconds after you start it.Then the alternator "comes to life" and then it indicates normal the rest of the day. I was positive my alternator was bad and was having trouble switching fields. Did you price out a new alternator for the Envoy?!?!??!?! Even at a discount auto chain its over $175. And thats the cheapest price I got. I wonder if this is a common occurence with the Envoy, it looks like the two of us are the only ones who spoke up about it so far on this forum.

I noticed that it usually only happens on the first start of the day as well. Have you had your charging system tested?

No I havent but I suspect that if I do, they wont find anything wrong because it only happens once a day upon cold startup. I mean any other time of the day it charges perfectly fine. Are you still under warranty?

I just got some news from a few other forums/boards I belong to. Some people believe it could be the built-in to the alternator regulator. This sounds practical. Im going to get mine tested friday.

Spoke to the service manager today, I’m still in warranty, they’ve never heard of anything like it. They offered to take my car overnight, at my convenience, and then check it out first thing the following morning. Let me know how it goes with yours.

Before I headed out this morning I popped the hood. The serpentine belt is tight, no fraying or cracking, alternator feels tight as well. I rolled down the window and turned the key. The belt doesn’t visually appear to be slipping, but after the 15-20 seconds, when it finally does start charging, the noise from the alternator area changes pitch. Service manager indicated that as the load changes the pitch will change, that makes sense.

Basically, my major concern is that this is a sign of impending alternator failure and/or future electrical system woes.

The belt doesn’t visually appear to be slipping, but after the 15-20 seconds, when it finally does start charging, the noise from the alternator area changes pitch.

Basically, my major concern is that this is a sign of impending alternator failure and/or future electrical system woes.


Mine changes pitch too after it decides to start charging. Once though, when it was really really cold here (0-5 degrees F) the gauge would go from about 10 volts to about 14, then back to 10, then back to 14 ... it did this about 3 or 4 times and the whole time it was making wierd high pitch "electronic" noise. It only happened once and it was super cold out. Im out of warranty, and I was going to bring my car to an alternator shop. Let me know what happens with yours, im excited to know :)

Dealer kept the car overnight tried it in the morning. They then went ahead and tested the electrical system per GM and they found that my battery was bad, replaced it under warranty. Started without a problem leaving the dealer, we’ll see how it is tomorrow morning.

Hi,
I have a 2004 Ascender, which is an Envoy rebadged by Isuzu. I've also noticed that when I start the vehicle in the morning, (about -10 to -30 below, Northern Maine) it seems to have no power. The interior and exterior lights are very dim and radio, the heater hardly blows (I have it on the 5 setting but its even less than on the 1 setting) but after 10-20 seconds, it comes to life. The lights brighten and the heater comes full blast. My last three vehicles (2001 Town & Country - LEMON, in the garage like 20 times and the power steering let go twice!!!!, 1997 Honda CRV - Great vehicle, no warranty issues, wish I would have kept it, and a 1992 Grand Caravan - no comment) have never done this before, and I have always kept them garaged at night. Is this something to worry about?? Or is this normal?
Also, last night, I started it for the first time yesterday, and there was this really, really loud wheezing, whining noise. I've never heard it before, but is this another problem, or are they related??

Please Help!!

Dealer kept the car overnight tried it in the morning. They then went ahead and tested the electrical system per GM and they found that my battery was bad, replaced it under warranty. Started without a problem leaving the dealer, we’ll see how it is tomorrow morning.

What was the longer term outcome of this for you? I know this is a pretty old thread but I am having the same issue when starting in the morning. The alternator voltage stays low around 9-10 volts for about 10-15 seconds and then all of the sudden it jumps up to 14 volts and stays their all day. Other starts throughout the day and the charging circuit goes straight to 14 volts with no dip at the beginning.

I am contemplating changing the alternator out because I am at 110K miles. I just had the battery replaced 10K ago at the dealer with the oem ACDelco that it came with. I am concerned as it might be a bad cell in the battery but then again it might be something temperature sensitive as well. It's cold here...about 10 degrees yesterday. I would be curious to see if this happens in the summer as well. I will check the voltage at the battery in the morning.

What was the longer term outcome of this for you? I know this is a pretty old thread but I am having the same issue when starting in the morning. The alternator voltage stays low around 9-10 volts for about 10-15 seconds and then all of the sudden it jumps up to 14 volts and stays their all day. Other starts throughout the day and the charging circuit goes straight to 14 volts with no dip at the beginning.

I am contemplating changing the alternator out because I am at 110K miles. I just had the battery replaced 10K ago at the dealer with the oem ACDelco that it came with. I am concerned as it might be a bad cell in the battery but then again it might be something temperature sensitive as well. It's cold here...about 10 degrees yesterday. I would be curious to see if this happens in the summer as well. I will check the voltage at the battery in the morning.

Forgot that I ever started this thread..... Haven't logged in since 9/1/2007.

So, alternator never got changed, the dealership (which is now long gone) swapped out my battery saying that it failed their load test. At 93k miles now, still going strong with a 10 to 15 second delay before the alternator seems to kick in.