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Voltage Display help.

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  • 14-10-2008 9:57am
    #1
    Jumpy
    Registered Users Posts: 7,606 ✭✭✭


    Would I be right in thinking that if the volt meter is moving between 12v and 14v randomly while driving, then it is a bad thing?

    Should it always be displaying a voltage higher than the battery?


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    #2
    DublinDilbert
    Registered Users Posts: 5,379 ✭✭✭DublinDilbert


    Jumpy wrote: »
    Would I be right in thinking that if the volt meter is moving between 12v and 14v randomly while driving, then it is a bad thing?

    Should it always be displaying a voltage higher than the battery?


    Yea it should read a fairly steady reading... it will vary a little when you switch in major electrical loads, but not that much... it may also vary a little with engine RPM, but still not that much...

    The first thing to do would be to check if the volt meter is connected correctly.... you could also pop on a cheap hand held volt meter and drive around and see if it changes also...

    You would expect 13.5V +/- a few percent...


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    #3
    Jumpy
    Registered Users Posts: 7,606 ✭✭✭Jumpy


    Its not the volt meter, the headlights dim as well when it happens.


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    #4
    Darragh29
    Closed Accounts Posts: 7,097 ✭✭✭Darragh29


    You should be getting between 14.0VDC and 14.5VDC at idle, usually you should have no trouble getting 14.3VDC to 14.5VDC...


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    #5
    Del2005
    Registered Users Posts: 18,992 ✭✭✭✭Del2005


    Jumpy wrote: »
    Its not the volt meter, the headlights dim as well when it happens.

    It sounds like a bad connection if it happens when driving.

    Have you checked to make sure all the connections are good and there's no corrsion around the battery. I'd diconnect the battery and sand the termials and inside the clamps. Reconnect and cover with grease and see if that cures it.


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    #6
    Jumpy
    Registered Users Posts: 7,606 ✭✭✭Jumpy


    I assumed it was the alternator, but when removed and tested there was nothing at all wrong with it.

    I have replaced the battery, the terminals and the alternator belt.

    But the little fecker still does it at the most inoppurtune moments.

    If it stays at 12v then the car will eventually cut out and the battery has to be manually charged.


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