Bulletin No.: 02-06-03-008C
Date: May 30, 2007
Low Voltage Display on IP Gauge, Lights Dim at Stop Lights, Battery Discharged, No Start, Slow Cranking, Dim Lights at Idle, Low Generator Output
1990-2008 Passenger Cars and Light Duty Trucks (including Saturn)
2003-2008 HUMMER H2, H3
2005-2008 Saab 9-7X
This bulletin is being revised to add the 2008 model year. Please
discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-06-03-008B (Section 06 - Engine).
Any vehicle may have a low voltage display (if equipped with
gauges), lights that dim at stop lights, slow cranking, no start, low
generator output at idle or dim lights at idle when electrical loads
are heavy at idle or under slow driving or infrequent usage conditions.
These characteristics may be more noticeable with customer added
electrical accessories, or with a discharged battery.
These are normal operating characteristics of a vehicle electrical
system and no repairs should be attempted unless a proven fault has
During normal driving conditions, when engine speed is above 1000 RPM, the generator is designed to do two things:
Supply the current necessary to operate the vehicle's originally equipped electrical devices (loads).
Recharge/maintain the battery's state of charge.
The following factors may affect generator and battery performance:
Non-usage of the vehicle for extended periods of time. The vehicle's computers, clocks and the like will cause the battery
state of charge to drop (For example; 30 days in a parking lot and the
vehicle may not start because of a dead battery or a vehicle which is
driven only a short distance once a week may end up with a discharged
battery to the point where the vehicle may not start). This would be
considered abnormal usage of the vehicle and the normally expected
result for the vehicle battery, generator and electrical systems.
At idle, vehicle electrical loads may exceed the low speed current
(amperage) output of the generator and when this happens the shortfall
comes from the battery.
This will result in a drop in the electrical system voltage as the
battery delivers the additional electrical current to meet the demand.
This is equivalent to the brown outs experienced by homes and
businesses when the electrical demand is more than the supply. See
Extended periods of engine idling, with high electrical loads, may result in a discharged battery.
Attempting to recharge a battery by letting the engine run at idle may
not be beneficial unless all electrical loads are turned "OFF".
Increased internal generator temperatures from extended idling can
also contribute to lower electrical system voltage. As the generator's
internal temperature rises, the generator's output capability is
reduced due to increased electrical resistance.
Depending on the vehicle application, generator current (amperage)
output at engine idle speeds of 600-700 RPM can be as low as 35 percent
of the full rated output. With enough electrical loads "ON", it is easy
to exceed the generator current (amperage) output when the engine is at
an idle of 600-700 RPM. This is a normal condition. The battery
supplements for short periods of time. Items that affect the vehicle's
electrical system current and voltage at idle are the number of
electrical loads being used, including add-on accessories, and extended
idle times. When the vehicle speed is above approximately 24 km/h (15
mph), the engine/generator RPM is high enough and the generator current
(amperage) output is sufficient to supply the current (amperage)
requirements of the vehicle as originally equipped and recharge the
Dimming lights at idle may be considered normal for two reasons:
As the engine/generator speed changes, so will the current
(amperage) output of the generator. As a vehicle slows,
engine/generator RPM slows, and the current (amperage) output of the
generator may not be sufficient to supply the loads, the vehicle system
voltage will drop and the lights will dim. Dimming of the lights is an
indication that current is being pulled from the battery.
If the battery is in a low state-of-charge (discharged condition), the
driver will notice a more pronounced dimming than a vehicle with a
fully charged battery.
When high current loads (blower, rear defogger, head lamps, cooling
fan, heated seats, power seats, electric "AIR" pump, or power windows)
are operating or cycled "ON", the generator's voltage regulator can
delay the rise in output. This effect, usually at lower engine speeds,
can take up to ten seconds to ramp up the generator output. This is
done to avoid loading the engine severely. To increase current
(amperage) output, additional torque is consumed by the generator. The
engine computer (PCM) will ramp up engine/generator speed in small
steps so engine speed variations are not noticeable to the driver.
For diagnosis of the battery and or the generator, refer to the appropriate Service Information or Corporate Bulletin Number 05-06-03-002B.