I’m trying to diagnose a weird electrical issue on my 2004 Chevy Malibu Maxx LS V6 and I’m getting mixed signals on whether it’s a ground issue, alternator issue, or something else.

🔧 Symptoms:

• When starting the car, the dash goes completely black while cranking.

• Before fully cranking, (key in ON position), dash lights and accessories work normally

• Occasionally get “Power Steering” and “Service Airbag” warnings at the same time on the radio display.

Parts I already replaced / tested:

• New battery installed

• New alternator installed

• New Serpentine Belt

• Battery previously tested \~ 90% charge

• Car starts and runs normally after startup

Voltage behavior:

• Saw a brief spike up to \~17.6V, but it drops quickly

• After stabilizing, voltage sits around \~13.7V

• Under full electrical load (AC, headlights, rear defrost), voltage holds steady around 13.7V

• No sustained overcharging or undercharging during load testing

Pattern I’m noticing:

• Problems mainly happen during startup / cranking

• Electrical warnings sometimes appear briefly at idle or startup

• Once running under load, everything seems stable

Issue feels intermittent, not constant.

Any help narrowing this down would be appreciated.