2006 Saturn Vue Alternator Problem Electrical Charging Lights Flickering
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- Опубліковано 28 жов 2024
- And thus begins my tale of woe. If you are reading this, and or watching the video, hopefully this helps you out.
I had the original OEM car battery replaced in mid-summer in my 2006 Saturn Vue. Then jump the mid November, and while driving the red battery icon on the dash came on. I took the car to a chain garage where they tested it. The conclusion was that the alternator was bad, so I had them replace it. I picked up the car on a 50ish degree Friday. The car started with no issue and I drove it home. I didn’t drive it again until Monday, and it was in the 30s. When I started the car, the lights would all come on, then immediately everything would shut off (electrical) except the engine would still be running. If the engine was left to run, eventually all the lights would start flashing like the car was having a seizure. If I shut the car off in this state, then restart it, the car would run normal, until the next cold morning.
Took the car back to the chain garage, where they agreed to put a different alternator in. They swapped out the alternator, and I picked up the car. Guess what, the car started normal. Then next morning its cold, and the car doesn’t start correctly (no electrical, then seizure mode).
That’s when I starting looking online for solutions, and made the video of how the car starts, to prove to this garage that the car is not fixed. The garage takes the car for over 2 weeks to tell me that it is not an alternator issue. They think it’s the BCM and I need to take the car to a Dealership.
When I took the car to the dealership they tested it at the (took forever because the weather did not cooperate) alternator. When the car freaks out, it output 19 volts from the alternator. The dealership told me that the only thing that could cause this is a faulty voltage regulator. They specifically told me the BCM can’t cause this issue. I was also told by the dealership that some aftermarket alternators do not work in Saturn Vue’s. They told me they were confident that either the brand of aftermarket alternator was not compatible with the Vue, or that the garage that installed my alternator did it wrong (did not disconnect the battery) and messed up the alternator. The dealership said they would only really recommend an OEM GM alternator, but unfortunately GM no longer manufactures them. So the dealerships recommendation was for me to go back to the original garage that serviced my car and have them replace the alternator with a different manufacturers. They wrote up on the paper work that they believed it was the aftermarket alternator brand.
I then went back to the original garage, where they eye rolled and “I have been doing this for 20 years, and have never heard of anything like this” bullshit. They did however replace my alternator with a different brand. To their amazement, the car worked perfectly. I have now been driving the car for about a month and a half in the freezing cold, and have had no issues.
The alternator that did not work in my 2006 Saturn Vue is:
Ultima - Alternator Part # 05-0600.
My car radio has started to freak out....This happened before
when the alternator was close to dying. It's been almost two years
since the alternator was replace.....god help me.....
• 2006 Saturn Vue Car Ra...
So I'm having the same issue with my Saturn, I had the alternator & battery replaced about 6 months ago & now the battery light & service engine light keeps coming on! The mechanic told me to take it through dealership! I'm wondering if I should have them test the alternator from were I bought it from! This video has saved me a lot of time & money! Thank you
Thanks! My 07 v6 Vue needs an alternator and I am going to get a new Denso one from RockAuto
It's TRUE! Saturn vue will not work with aftermarket rebuilt alternator. You have to take original alternator and have it rebuilt. The ecmc will not link with a regular multi car alternator. Because of the gm car with the Honda engine and stuff. The Saturn vue has a special voltage regulator in the alternator. These alternators that came in Saturn's were especially built for the Saturn vue. I pray that many of you read this before turning your Saturn OEM alternator in for the core charge for a run of the mill cabin auto parts store rebuilt alternator. Good luck. All kinds of funny stuff will start to happen. Flickering lights, etc.
I'm replacing the alternator on my 06 Vue, just ordered the OEM Denso brand. I noticed the other brands have a 130 amp output, but the denso only has 105 amp. I can't believe they are selling these over amped alternators to people when they don't work and cause problems! It is alot of work to get that thing out of the car, lifting motor up etc, only to have to do it more than once when the one the auto parts store sell you doesn't work, SMH. Thanks for posting.
Denny H who did you order yours from?
Thanks for heads up. Mine just start to do that last night.
That's very nice of you and people like you that like to put up helpful info/notes for people to use.
I have a 2007 Saturn Vue and got the alternator replaced and I have the exact same issue. I replaced the alternator twice my car is still under warranty but when I take it to a shop the people don't believe me. I have videos but it only does this when the temperature is below 55. It is truly a pain. I did notice when it stop blinking my check engine light is on. I cut the car off and back on again check engine light off. It takes my Vue about 10 to 15 minutes to stop the blinking and run. Thank you so much for your video.
Shante Edmonds. Your welcome! If you can leave the car with the mechanic overnight that might prove your car still doesnt run correctly. You just have to also make sure they store the car outside over night and that it is cold enough. If they store the car in the garage it may be to warm.
Armondo Delgado yes it was with them overnight and they are shocked at the blinking but insists on it being electrical shortage somewhere. they even checked the fuses and replaced alternator twice. I was going to call the warranty again and try to explain but they act as if I'm a nuisance. I only had this car for almost 3 yrs and I have constant trouble with the Vue. I am so frustrated but when my father found your video after searching through so many it made us feel a lil relief and we agree it has to be replaced with an original alternator some kind of way.
What brand alternator?
Did you ever find out which alternator actually fixed your vehicle. This will sure be helpful please. Thank you!
You'll need a "Denso" alternator...the Original alternator of the car. Hope this helps.
Yes it would
Would you recommend the Vue? I'm looking at a couple listings of 07 Vues V6.
No no no. stay away from the Vue. I am stuck with this vehicle, due to income. Too many problems. Besides the alternator, the ignition eats my keys. I have to purchase new keys because the ignition seems to sand down the keys. The brakes are terrible, have had them looked at twice. It eats tires, there is no grip, so your front tires go bald. Seriously, stay away.
Armondo Delgado and... none of the issues you mentioned I've ever had, and I've had 2 of them
What is the right alternator for saturn vue
For a 2005 Saturn vue
Asking for a 2006 alternator??
Thank you very much for all that info. You were very helpful
My issue is that when I mash the accelerator, all the lights go out and the steering wheel gets tight. Could this too be the altenator
Bryant White it could be. you should get your alternator checked. could be on its last legs.
Belt tensioner my god no one replied that made sense
What engine is in your vue? 2.2 or 3.5? I'm having a similar issue with a 04 ion with the 2.2 4 cyl
It was the 3.5.
I have a 08 Vue...all my interior lights will go out except the ones around the headlight switch and hazard light button. It drained my battery overnight and wouldn’t start the next day without a jump. Took to the place I got it from and they put a new battery in. Now it still doesn’t crank after sitting overnight. I have to get it jumped everyday. What could this be
Danielle Howell , Go to GM's recall website. Enter in you cars vin number to see if yo have any major recalls. If that doesnt help it may be an electrical short draining the battery. You may have to take it to a dealership.
This is a very common problem for Vue 3.5. Denso alternators, the ones that came with it new, install a regulator that compensates for the sudden voltage surge when started in very cold weather. The other aftermarket alternators don't have this. You can get new Denso's or rebuilt ones.....but other brands cause the disco lights when they are cold....which can pop headlight bulbs and cause damage to other electrical components. Have a great day.
Bruce Johns can I get a rebuilt densos from autozone or O’Reillys auto
they must of installed a low output alternator...and another thing do you have a high power amp or stereo system?
phillip hernandez , No its the stock radio.
im a 47 year auto-techniceian sounds to my that alternator had a bad diode i fixed many of them had one car where his alternator belt was too slacky that mechanic should of hooked the diagnostic scanner to it he would of seen the intervale peaks of current a ropple affect..
Just bought a vue battery light is on. Thank you for the video
2007 Saturn Vue 3.5L with the EXACT same cold start flashing lights issue when cold out! Alternator replaced with aftermarket alternator 5 years ago...I’ve been having the issue for 5 years 🤣. My workaround was to turn the ignition to ON and leave it there for 5 min. The car would start and run normally after doing this, but the check engine light would always be on and the car wouldn’t pass state emissions (Pennsylvania during the months of Oct thru June). Summer months, July thru Sept, the issue would go away and the car would start normally, codes cleared would remain cleared, check engine light would remain off, and the car would pass emissions! Thank you for posting this! I was about to have the BCM to try and fix it.
Would you be able to find out what brand alternator fixed your Vue? I am having the same exact issue with my 2006 Vue. The local GMC dealer has tried 6 alternators and we still have the same issue. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
+Brian Kelly I just looked at the last invoice and it didn't have anything on it. I know that the dealership was wanted to try an alternator from NAPA if I decided to have them work on the car. I can try and go to the "chain garage" that did the work on Saturday and see if they can tell me.
+Armondo Delgado I would really appreciate that but don't go out of your way.
+Brian Kelly I was told by the garage that the alternator they installed was a refurbished OEM one.
+Armondo Delgado I bought a the same car for my daughter today and four hours later I took it to put new tires on it for her. The car died, we jumped it and then the lights flickered like yours. I bought a new battery and drove it =home, but the volt meter is only showing 12 volts. This is all I have done so far. Dis you ever find out what alternator solved your issue? THANKS! four hours of happiness and now this nightmare. Such is life!
+David Vanbrunt yes, an oem alternator. its a terrible situation.
Hey Armondo,
I know you did this video 4 years ago but did you ever find out which alternator is the best/correct one?
I ended up getting a rebuild/refurbished oem alternator. As for the aftermarket brands, I dont know the best. Sorry.
That is crazy.....it really looks like the voltage-regulation is was whacked on the aftermarket-alternator.
Thanks it gave me hope just not sure if im having an electric problems or not or just my alternator isn't any good
Keona Curtis , Take your car to an Advance Auto Parts, O Rielly, or Auto zone. They should be able to test the alternator for free.
Can the check the alternator while it's in your car? We had to take things out to get to ours!
I just had the same thing happen to mine. My radio and other things in the vehicle just stop working. Then the wrecker driver shows up and puts the jumper cables to it and it starts right up and everything is working like it should. I hope this is all it is.
Oh my god thank you so much my car is doing the same exact thing except it the. Motor eventually dies out
Do you happen to know where to get one or the cost of the refurbished alternator you received? Mine is having the same issue.
Derrick Wirtz Sorry I don't know where you can get one. the garage I took mine too I believe cost me around $400-$500 for everything (labor). The GM dealership wanted around $700.
its the alternator, ive replaced two, recommendation is to buy a quality one, i did and havnt had a problem since...
I've had the same issue twice bought a alternator from AutoZone the first time the alternator was no good they didn't want to pay for the installment of the alternator I have to pay out-of-pocket then it turns out the alternator was no good the shop took out the alternator call them replaced it two months later another alternator problem again have to pay out-of-pocket so be careful with the alternators you get from AutoZone a lot of them are just no good don't work
Never buy alternator or starter from autozone. This has been known since the 1980s.
Thanks for the info. it was helpful..
J Salinas . No problem! Glad it helped!
for those that don't want to watch the entire vid.. plot twist ULTIMA alternators don't work for this model. You're welcome folks.
What is the brand of the alternator that worked
Cheryl Doebrick oem refurbished.
Denso
very informative thank you very much sir
I'm goin through the same thing right now new battery n new alternator
thanks helped me out.
Jonathan Brown . Thanks, I am happy the video helped you out!
Hello, I have an 2007 Saturn vue, Has been an excellent auto. Yes it's old, but has been taken of. Late fall 2016, battery light started staying on in the dash. And Went to three different locations, was told three different answers, finally purchased new alternate, three in fact. Now when it's cold out side, my car dose the same as his, except the steering column freeze up. After approx 10 minutes every thing is just dandy.
Now I am not blaming the dealerships, the auto supply, the auto fixer-upper, or a place W______. But I do blame each of the knowledgeable, reliable repairmen, salesman, etc......,If they don't know say so. I am on a very low fixed income and did not have extra.....
Sorry, I regress...
After many days and night researching the web, I had a questionable idea. Said to get an original alternate of of a 2007. Haven't been able yet$$$$, So I hope this helps some one, I would like to know if it yes or no. Thanks
Ultima alternators are absolute garbage, I can't say I'm surprised.
I usually try as hard as I can to get DENSO alternators, but otherwise look to AC Delco, Bosch or Mitsubishi. I won't touch Ultima, Duralast, WPS etc...
it first started with a light bulb , then bad battery was replaced .The plug for that.light was replaced. Months later replaced a damaged turn signal /light switch that was draining battery. Auto Zone tested that the ALT was bad so week later BAM got it done. drove for about 5 weeks , passenger side bulb needs replacing got it done. About 2 and a half weeks later car won't crank, do the normal thing , boost off and run to Advance for a diagnosis. ALT was smoking, had to.get Wifey to jump me off to get back to house. Get home crank car from time to time to verify status is good, charge held overnight crunk up in the morning good , afternoon good and that night good!! It's my niece car so so she drove it to work, good!!! We still not sold so we drop it.off a shop overnight. This time it's the starter, I can see that it was stalling on me. But first they gave him the wrong starter ok cool Xtra hr. after installation test drive battery light again , Came up ALT was bad, put in a new one on FACE because it was still under warranty Kool. Crank everything is cool driving to pick niece up (it's her car) radio fading out , roll windows down or up radio fades out . I turn into school parking lot and car died on me. My mechanic said I had some more electrical issues going on so to the car us back at the shop, HOPING FOR A HAPPY ENDING!!!