My voltmeter's ranging from 14v to slightly above 9v and everywher

[gmc1]

Title says it all. I'm going to make an appointment for a couple issues at the dealership, however, each extra problem I bring up seems to tack on 3-4 hours they keep my truck so I wanted to check with yall before I mention it to them.

 

I ask because out of all the vehicles I've owned/driven I don't remember the volt meter on any of them doing what this one is and want to get it fixed b4 my dang warranty runs out.

 

Thanks guys

[DLS-001]

This is something (I think) in the programming to cycle the battery/alternator/charging system. My truck does it too, no issue.

[2016 Sierra Owner]

This is completely normal. There is a line connecting the top dead center mark on the gauge. The line goes left and right to another mark. That is the operating zone for these trucks charging system. The system charges more when needed and less when not needed. This was also on the previous gen trucks 07-13 as well. No need to go to the dealer. This info is in the owners manual as well.

[bdbake01]

Perfectly normal. Both battery and gas saving. Designed to do this.

[haider320]

As everybody has said, it's normal. Even talks about this in the owners manual.

[bass mechanic]

the system does this because putting 14.7 volts into an already charged battery is hard on the battery and generates heat. it also causes the battery to gas or boil.

i noticed this in my corvette and my GMC but i quickly realized it is done intentionally to prolong the life of the battery and reduce fuel consumption.

[gmc1]

Awesome guys thanks for the good news! Very strange watching it do its thing I must admit.

[foghorn23]

Yeah as stated GM has done this for quite a while. I know it freaked me out when I first noticed it on my 2011. I think other manufacturers have started doing the same thing as I have read similar threads on the Ford truck forums as well. For the auto companies every 1/100 mile per gallon they can save it helps with their fleet average and CAFE. Got to make the government happy.

[Full Lock]

Is yours going to 9v? There's a horizontal line between the the 12v-15v bars. This is the normal range

[mafd2]

My '14 Sierra does the same as well. Goes from 14 down to 12/12.5. Was going to have it checked until I read a few threads on the forum concerning this.

[txchevy4ever]

Battery Load Management The vehicle has Electric Power Management (EPM), which estimates the battery's temperature and state of charge. It then adjusts the voltage for best performance and extended life of the battery. When the battery's state of charge is low, the voltage is raised slightly to quickly bring the charge back up. When the state of charge is high, the voltage is lowered slightly to prevent overcharging. The voltmeter gauge or the voltage display on the Driver Information Center (DIC), if equipped, may show the voltage moving up or down. This is normal. If there is a problem, an alert will be displayed.

[dm0026]

Was wondering the same thing about mine. Thanks for all the replies guys. Guess I should have read the manual before I checked here. But seems like the answers are always here.

[fondupot]

If it is fluctuating in the green part, you're fine. If its going into the red areas...you have issues.

 

 

Straight from the owners manual:

 

"The voltmeter gauge may also read lower when in fuel economy mode. This is normal.

 

Readings outside the normal operating range can also occur when a large number of electrical accessories are operating in the vehicle and the engine is left idling for an extended period. This condition is normal since the charging system is not able to to provide full power at engine idle. As engine speeds are increased, this condition should correct itself as higher engine speeds allow the charging system to create maximum power.

 

The vehicle can only be driven for a short time with the readins outside normal operating range. if the vehicle must be driven, turn off all accessories, such as the radio and air condition. Readings outside the normal operating range indicate a possible problem in the electrical system. Have the vehicle serviced as soon as possible."

[SGI2015]

I recently noticed my truck does the same thing and was wondering about it. Very helpful replies, thanks.