Electical Problem

[ARigutto]

Hi everyone, I have a problem with my alternator. When I drive the volt gauge is reading more the 14 volts. Using a voltimeter while the engine is running I found 14. 85 at the batteries. I dorve more the 130 miles without stops and the volt gauge did not move. Can somebody help me? Thank you very much.

 

[B.G. Smith]

Although I can't tell you the exact voltage that the system is supposed to charge at(it will vary as the battery temp. changes, higher when cold) it should be between 13. 8 and 14. 5 so you are really not off much if at all. Only thing I can think of is the battery temp snsormight be dirty or faulty. If the voltage doesn't get above what you stated and the batteries are not getting hot I would not sweat it. bg

 

[Wayne M.]

Hi everyone, I have a problem with my alternator. When I drive the volt gauge is reading more the 14 volts. Using a voltimeter while the engine is running I found 14. 85 at the batteries. I dorve more the 130 miles without stops and the volt gauge did not move. Can somebody help me? Thank you very much.

I'm sorry to say that the days of believing what the cluster says regarding engine vitals are over- it is mostly a lie. The only advice I can give is that if the output at the alternator (big lug on the back) closely matches what is seen at the batteries, and it's a reasonable number (like what you have) it's good.

The charging rate is controlled by the computer, and I believe it follows logic that actually excercises the batteries, as well as taking into account ambient conditions.

If you want to really check the cluster's voltmeter, put the key on, engine off and note the reading. Should be around 12 to 12. 5. Now start the engine, the needle should go to wherever it is told, which would be ~14. Remember to take into account weather the heat grids are working, then the needle will be swinging.

 

[Bochuck]

I agree with Wayne M. The voltage seems right in spec. It's normal for it to be above the "12 volts" the battery is rated at.

 

[Dieselnerd]

Sounds perfectly normal to me.

 

[Tmartin000]

Throw another dynamic in there. ..... it's possible that only the voltage is high, and the current is VERY low. That way the batts stay fully charged without baking them with lower voltage and higher current. The cpu would likely reduce the current for this to happen.

Mine is almost always at 14. 8-14-5 driving down the road. (have checked with a fluke meter... .