Engine/Transmission (1998.5 - 2002) Check Gauges & Volt Meter

[Claw231]

Since I have had this truck, less than a year, it has done this a total of three times and it's starting to bug me. I go out in the morning to start it, usually in 10s or 20s, and idle it up to 1200 or so, then go back inside for 10-20 minutes. I come back out get in it and the check gauges light is on along with the voltmeter on empty, showing less than 8 volts. I shut the truck off and restart it, now everythings normal. Any ideas on what might be causing this



P. S. I never thing about taking a volt meter and checking the voltage at the batteries to see if they are still charging until I've restarted it or already on the road.



Thanks,

Chris

 

[Hitec.Redneck]

I had a simular issue a few weeks ago. My truck is a 2002 had original batteries. I was driving down the road, the check gauge light came on, and the volt meter was all the way to the left, showed no voltage. I stopped on the side of the road to check if the belt broke, it was ok. I went back home shut the truck off, waited a few seconds and restarted it no problem. So I went and had the batteries checked, they both tested bad. I replaced both batteries the problem has not come back. It was pretty cold that morning, lows in the mid 30's. I am guessing you may have 2 bad batteries also. I think one of the batteries were shorting causing this to happen. Hope this helps.

 

[Claw231]

Batteries were replaced shortly after I got it because it still had the orginals. I guess it won't hurt to test these anyway.



Anymore ideas?