Battery or Alternator Ground? Year 2000

[markqc]

Hi all,

Had to get a boost on my 2000 Van tonight and was wonder what might be the problem. I have read on this forum where a ground screw on the alternator had caused the battery to not charge.

Will the van still run if the alternator ground was not good, or am I just looking at a new battery? Van ran fine after the boost. (Except the dash freaked out a bit when the lights turned on automatically as it got dark. After that, the van ran normally again, except for the dash lights dimming every so often)

If it's the battery, any tips on changing it? I have also read on here that it is a PITA of a job.

Thanks,
Mark

[JJ Newel]

Its no bad changing the battery. First you unbolt that black "brace" on the left hand side of the engine compartment (passenger side) then you take out the brace and move the fusebox out of the way and just unbolt and take out the battery. Odds are its ur battery id replace that first.

[maxwedge]

Originally Posted by markqc

Hi all,

Had to get a boost on my 2000 Van tonight and was wonder what might be the problem. I have read on this forum where a ground screw on the alternator had caused the battery to not charge.

Will the van still run if the alternator ground was not good, or am I just looking at a new battery? Van ran fine after the boost. (Except the dash freaked out a bit when the lights turned on automatically as it got dark. After that, the van ran normally again, except for the dash lights dimming every so often)

If it's the battery, any tips on changing it? I have also read on here that it is a PITA of a job.

Thanks,
Mark

Try not to guess here ,have the battery tested it is 6 years old, at the same time the alt output can be checked, basic diagnostics.

[markqc]

Thanks for the replies. Do you know if the van needs the charging system to run (especially with the full lighting system on) or will it run even without the alternator?

Thanks,
Mark

[maxwedge]

It will run till the battery voltage goes too low.

[markqc]

I changed out the battery and all seems ok for now. All lights and gages are functioning properly.
Of course, as soon as I tried to loosen the positive terminal, it fell off of the battery case. I think this is pretty common on these vans and GM vehicles. We'll see what happens.

Thanks,
Mark