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Is this normal for a voltage reading?

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:33 am
by Ponch 04
Coming home from work last Wednesday night I noticed the voltmeter putting out this reading. (See picture)

Image

This was taking when I had the cruise set at 65 mph. with the radio, headlights, and foglights on. It dips about 2 notches lower when I turn the rear defrost on.
It will also come down when I come to a stop at an intersection.

Is this normal? I know the normal reading should be around 14 volts (+ or - a volt). It seems to do it more when the ambient air temp is below 20 degrees F.

Is the voltage regulator going out on me?

Re: Is this normal for a voltage reading?

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 12:43 am
by 00Beast
I don't know, my voltmeter in my DIC (ssei's have a boost gauge where non s/c's have a volt gauge) has been reading around 15 lately, so it might just be something to do with cold weather. Yours looks to be around 15 volts too, so I don't know.

Re: Is this normal for a voltage reading?

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 1:37 am
by bonnevillain
the gauge doesn't follow the same scale for the first half as it does for the second, if you haven't noticed. So it may look higher than it really is. looks fine to me.

Re: Is this normal for a voltage reading?

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:23 pm
by Villainville
Mine reads close to yours!

Re: Is this normal for a voltage reading?

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:30 pm
by Wes
my 97 reads about the same. if you want peace of mind, check at the battery or alternator output with a meter to verify the charging voltage. Is it different normally?

Re: Is this normal for a voltage reading?

Posted: Mon Dec 08, 2008 5:44 pm
by agrazela
Anything between 14v and the redline on the right is acceptable to me.

As suggested, check at the alt with a meter to be sure the gauge is reasonably accurate.

Re: Is this normal for a voltage reading?

Posted: Tue Dec 09, 2008 7:10 am
by markwb
That looks to be indicating normal voltage. Voltage will droop slightly when you turn rear defrost on.

Re: Is this normal for a voltage reading?

Posted: Wed Dec 10, 2008 4:35 am
by OH2LS
I run the ZZP voltage booster in my Impala. Your volt needle looks to be reading close to or a little less than what mine reads, and my charging system runs around 15-15.2 volts.