Voltmeter reading hi...

[CoastyAV8R]

A few days ago on my way to work I noticed my voltmeter was reading higher than it normally did. This was after the grid heater had done it's thing and things were settled out. I thought maybe it was just a quick glitch but it has continued and today I did a voltage reading and found with the truck running and the radio and heater blower (on the low setting) turned on the voltmeter read 14. 2 vdc. The batteries were each reading 13. 8 vdc with the truck turned off. I haven't noticed anything else unusual with the truck, but I am used to seeing around 13. 7 vdc with a vehicle running and a battery reading of around 12. 5 vdc. Does this seem unusual? The truck is a 2001 ETH 4x4 QC with 5200 miles on it with no aftermarket accessories.

Thanks in advance,
Pat

 

[radixr]

Although my engine is properly-valved (12), my voltmeter hangs out at about 14 volts. You sound normal to me! #ad

 

[Missouri Mule]

Mine hangs just above 14 volts. I would think after your grid heater used up some juice the charging system would kick a little harder to get the volts back up again.
After heaters usually shut down what does the voltmeter show.



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Bill Thomas
Missouri Mule - 96 Wht 4X4 ST CC,5 spd, 3. 54, 8 ft bed, 1 ft high cheater boards.
99 Freightliner bl/wht FL60 ISB-5. 9 24v,215 hp,520 tq,6 spd, 3. 59 nsr,16 ft box, 19. 5 tires,Wt/gvw 11,000/23000

 

[CoastyAV8R]

The voltmeter still indicates a shade above 14 volts. With the grid heaters cycling, it'll dip down a few volts as well as the lights dimming slightly, which we all know is normal. I drive 20 miles to work and once the grid heaters finish cycling and the truck is warm, the voltmeter is rock solid a little above 14 volts. It use to be right on the 14 volt line whereas now it is just a little bit above. Like I said, I haven't noticed anything else unusual with the truck just this. Odd eh?

Pat

 

[ACoyle]

It's been a while since I had this kind of a problem. The last time My volt meter read high, it was a battery csll that had a problem. It can be easily determined. Go to Sears, or wherever you get batteries and have them test the batteries. They have a stress tester that will show how everything is working under load.

 

[Big-D]

Sounds normal to me for my '99 reads slightly above 14 vdc after everything has settled down from a start up.

 

[Mopar-muscle]

mine sits just above 14 volts , always has ... but i noticed something weird lately .

when i first start the truck in the morning the voltmeter sits down on the first white hash above 8 , will stay there till i start driving , i'm in the northeast . it never did this before , it would always jump right up to the 14 volt mark and move up and down with the grid heater . of course when i took it in the dealer said this was normal , but when i went out and jumped in a new on the lot truck that was STONE COLD , it did what mine used to , jump right up to 14 volts and bounce with the grid heaters . the dealer did replace the battery temp sensor , which is behind the drivers side battery , all this did was move the needle up a bit , but it still stays down till i drive and hit 18 mph were the computer locks the doors and turns off the grid heater .

cumturbo95 , that is probably a bit normal as the grid heater is connected directly to the drivers side battery and the resistance of the cable from on battery to the otherside cuts the juice drawn from overthere a tad , but if those are original batteries its probably on its way out .

[This message has been edited by Mopar-muscle (edited 02-02-2001). ]

 

[cumminsturbo95]

I started having the same high readings about a week ago. I checked the battery's with a tool that test for amps. Driver side bat =400 amps cold , passanger side batt 825 amps cold. both bats are 900 cold cranking amp,as you can see driver side bat is week. After driveing a few miles the amp readings return to normal(batt's recharged). After talking to my dad about this who has had this problem ,I've decided to wait on changing the batt out untill nessary.

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95 CUMMINS W/AMSOIL 5W-30 CC 2WD AUTO W/AMSOIL ATF+4 +GENO'S COMBO GAUGE + SONY 10 disc + 1 CHAMBER FLOWMASTER +LOST cat + silencer ring + slid stock plate & k&N so far... ! member of the SETDR