2000 Montana/lights flicker

[1Bradymichael]

Just bought a 2000 Montana 3 weeks ago.Today I noticed that the lights and radio/interior lights flicker,worse at low speeds.Checked the battery connections,alt. wire,nice and tight.Alt has good output and battery is fairly new.Thought maybe the internal regulator in the alternator?.Belt is not slipping.I had a 97 Venture and noticed in the GM repair manual it takes an act of Congress to change the alternator,and this looks like the story here.
Anybody have any ideas?
Thanks,Mike

[daveycarpet]

Hi Mike, The problem could be yor voltage regulator grounding screw.
More info at:http://www.impalahq.com/TSB/TSB01-06-03-005.html

Try this site. I'm having the same problem and will change the screw.

[1Bradymichael]

Originally Posted by daveycarpet

Hi Mike, The problem could be yor voltage regulator grounding screw.
More info at:http://www.impalahq.com/TSB/TSB01-06-03-005.html

Try this site. I'm having the same problem and will change the screw.

Thanks for the info.I have a kit ordered and will see what happens!

[Cobber]

Originally Posted by daveycarpet

Hi Mike, The problem could be yor voltage regulator grounding screw.
More info at:http://www.impalahq.com/TSB/TSB01-06-03-005.html

Try this site. I'm having the same problem and will change the screw.

YOU ARE A GOD!!!

What can I say... thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you thank you

[DamienZ28]

Well do not have this problem.... yet. But that info will help alot just incase im going to say thanks also! Im not sure I would have check that that close.

[kpn]

I had the same problem. At idle, lights would flicker. Took it to dealer, and it was a ground connection on the alternator I believe.

Keith

[daveycarpet]

Feels good to repair a problem without costing an arm and a leg, hey??
These forums are #1 and everyone is a GREAT HELP!!
Keep up the good work
Davey

[umina]

Everyone should read this forum and order this part!! I was about to replace my alternator to the tune of $150 just for parts alone! I figured for 4 bucks, i'd give this a try. Worked like a charm!!! I've talked to several van owners who were taken at the dealer for a new alternator when probably all the dealer did was replace the ground screw. I guess the original did not have the wierd looking washer (mine didn't) so it must compress and make a better ground (??). In any event, my van is a '99 (the fix says its for 2000 and newer) so I bet this works for different years as well.

http://www.impalahq.com/TSB/TSB01-06-03-005.html

Part number from GM: 10316685
price: $4.08 US

You may want to use a magnetic screw driver when doing this, because in the Montana you have to do it blind. Its on the back side of the alternator, and if you drop the new screw when putting it in, good luck fishing that out from the back of the motor. Make sure the motor is COOL or COLD before doing this, u'll be leaning on it the whole time. aprox. time for this repair: 5-10 minutes (unless you drop the screw)

[MarkNYC]

I was having same problem for over 1 year. Dealer could not find anything wrong and obviously, didn't know to check TSB.

It probably was the ground screw issue. Anyway it was resolved when car would not start and dealer found that alternator was intermittently undercharging and overcharging.

New alternator (and internal voltage regulator was installed out of warranty, for which I paid about $ 390 parts and $240 labor. No problems now


Thanks,
Mark

[richtazz]

Davey, that is a great tip, I will definitely keep that in the memory banks for future use. Simple and effective, not to mention free. Gotta love it.