Factory gauge readings

[Deezal Man]

I've been noticing lately that my alt meter is barely above 8v during start-up. (For a few seconds). Then it SLOWLY climbs to a normal reading, and stays there. Eveything's been fine. But when I first saw it, it reminded me of an Alt going bad.

Could the cold weather be affecting the gauge? or Alt?

Secondly, When you start your truck, how long before the oil pressure gauge reads normal? Is your "check Gauges" light illuminated during this time?
Mine stays at 0 for a few seconds after start-up, then pops up to normal. On really cold evenings (when its outside) the "check gauges" light goes out, then comes on a 2nd time for a moment or two. Is this normal?

Sometimes I wonder how accurate these gauges are.

------------------
98. 5' 24v 2500 Auto/3. 54 4x4 SB QC 285-75-16's on Alcoa's. Everything but leather. PIAA 1200's, AMSOIL dual filter relocation system, Smittybuilt Stainless Steel Nerfs, Rhino Liner(Junk), K&N air filter(For Sale)15 year AMSOIL dealer. Time permitting, Soon to include Ultra-lite Pyro,0-50lbs boost, Trans temp in the pillar. Rancho 9000's with in cab adjustment.

 

[Alan Reagan]

Deezal, Everything sounds normal. When it's cold, you have the starting load, the fuel heater and the grid heater putting a load on the system. It's quite a large current draw so it takes the electrical system about 15 to 30 seconds to recover and read normal. Seeing that you are a 98. 5 and living in Pennsylvania, you may be due for some batteries before long. 8 Volts may be a little low, but if your radio isn't losing its memory, 8 is probably OK. When the radio starts losing memory, it is time for some new electrical power. Oil pressure on my 98 and 01 registered at about 3 to 5 seconds after startup. The pressure is sensed and the guage is driven by the computer if I'm not mistaken so there is some delay.

------------------
2001 HO 6 spd 2500, 4. 10 LSD, Towing Package, Electric Brakes, SPA EGT/Boost Gauges, Running Boards, Fog Lights, Real Backup Lights, Running Boards

 

[bodine]

Sounds normal to me I asked the dealer about it shrugged his head said that was right. Did not do it till it started getting cold. Must be a thing they learn at their tech school shake head and say that is about right

 

[jkern]

Deezal,

i live in Pa too, southwestern though. anyhow in our climate, you truck sounds as if it is operating normal. mine does the same, sometimes as long as 10 secs on the oil pressure (check gauge light does come back on) and when it is really cold, you batteries aren't near as efficent, then with the load of starting that cummins cold, it can take up to a minute or so before the voltage gets back up to a normal range. it will also cycle up and down a few times as well, this is the post-heat cycle of the grid heaters... in all sounds like normal operation.


------------------
Jeremy Kern
1999 2500HD 4x4 QC,SB, ISB, 5spd, 3. 54LSD, 33x12. 50 cooper STT's Denver off-road bumper with Ramsey RE12000, PIAA series 520, Rancho RS9000's, heavy ft. springs, JVD Torque Enhancer, DiPricol boost and pryo gauges, and a bunch of other little things! www.geocities.com/phrn30 for pics!