Jump to content

Voltage on dash reading low

Scboater

By Scboater
in Troubleshooting & Recalls

 Share

Recommended Posts

Scboater New Member

Scboater

Posted
Posted

Battery was acting bad, and volts were reading 14 on dash and at battery. So I figured it had to be the battery. Changed the battery yesterday and stopped and started 5 or 6 times as well. I’m kind of a gauge watcher as well. So I jump in today and am heading down the road and look at the gauges and the voltage gauge is reading around what I guess would be 12 or so, and stays that way until I get to where I’m going. I’m thinking it may just need a reset. I stop the truck and let it sit a minute and then restart it. The gauges do their normal thing, they go to 3 o’clock and back to 9 o’clock and then settle to wherever. When I crank it up the voltage will read 14 like always for a minute or two and then it will drop to 12 or so. Took it to advance and they said it all checks out fine. I’m not comfortable with this. It was reading normal 14 yesterday after new battery was installed. Have y’all gurus seen or heard about this before? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
25 minutes ago, Scboater said:

Battery was acting bad, and volts were reading 14 on dash and at battery. So I figured it had to be the battery. Changed the battery yesterday and stopped and started 5 or 6 times as well. I’m kind of a gauge watcher as well. So I jump in today and am heading down the road and look at the gauges and the voltage gauge is reading around what I guess would be 12 or so, and stays that way until I get to where I’m going. I’m thinking it may just need a reset. I stop the truck and let it sit a minute and then restart it. The gauges do their normal thing, they go to 3 o’clock and back to 9 o’clock and then settle to wherever. When I crank it up the voltage will read 14 like always for a minute or two and then it will drop to 12 or so. Took it to advance and they said it all checks out fine. I’m not comfortable with this. It was reading normal 14 yesterday after new battery was installed. Have y’all gurus seen or heard about this before? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

These are smart charging systems. What you are seeing really is normal. Be happy. Don't worry. 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Phantom 4D Enthusiast

Phantom 4D

Posted
Posted

Yep. Threw me on my 17 Silverado when I had it. As mentioned, GM uses a variable voltage alternator, or smart alternator. Main reason is to keep the battery from overcharging and longer battery life. 

  • Like 1
Scboater New Member

Scboater

Posted
  • Author
Posted

What’s weird is, why has it never done this before in the 4 years I’ve owned the truck? I’m gonna trust all the other replies on this same question and roll with it. Can’t wait for it to get dark out so I can test the theory that it should come back up once I get all the lights going. Will update if I do in fact end up with an issue.

  • Like 1
Grumpy Bear Senior Enthusiast

Grumpy Bear

Posted
Posted
On 6/25/2021 at 4:59 PM, Scboater said:

What’s weird is, why has it never done this before in the 4 years I’ve owned the truck? I’m gonna trust all the other replies on this same question and roll with it. Can’t wait for it to get dark out so I can test the theory that it should come back up once I get all the lights going. Will update if I do in fact end up with an issue.

 

I had my truck a few years before I noticed the oil pump self test three cycles of the high stage side on each key cycle a few minutes after start up. Thought the pump was going south. :rolleyes: I'm a gauge hawk too and still missed it. 

  • Like 1

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Forum Statistics

    250.4k
    Total Topics
    2.7m
    Total Posts

  • Member Statistics

    342,778
    Total Members
    8,960
    Most Online
    daveishi
    Newest Member
    daveishi
    Joined

  • Who's Online   1 Member, 0 Anonymous, 1,022 Guests (See full list)

  • Latest Articles

  • Posts

    • Jsdirt
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By Jsdirt · Posted

      Because that is IDIOTIC, much like this question. They've already been forced to do it by past administrations - why would you roll that back when it's a GOOD thing?  WHO IS ARGUING FOR LOWER MILEAGE???? 😂  NOBODY IS!!   I'm certainly not! What I want is RELIABLE vehicles again that are worth the price paid!    I don't get your logic here ...   In 2003 I paid $2,200 for our '86 Grand Marquis. It's STILL running and I've never been inside the engine, aside for the timing cover since it was leaking, so I threw a new timing set in since that makes sense. Transmission is ORIGINAL. Electric pump in the gas tank is ORIGINAL. Rear end is ORIGINAL. I'd have to hit my head REAL hard to want to pay $60k or more for a car that still can't come close to the comfort, seating and storage space, or reliability of this one. Nothing is even in the ball park! Hundreds of thousands of brands and models have been built and sent to the crusher while this one keeps on going!   https://postimg.cc/Z9XRrCSg   I've got a whole fleet of cars, motorcycles, and a truck close to this age for summer and winter. No one could pay me enough to buy anything built this century. I have zero use for any it.
    • Jsdirt
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By Jsdirt · Posted

      Since I'm the one who has to fix them when they break, I'll take vehicles over 30 years old all day, EVERY day, over ANY modern crap. Have you attempted any repairs on anything built after 2006? It's a friggin nightmare, and gets worse the newer the model year.    If I had the will or desire, I can make any car of any age outside of a Model T (I don't have THAT much will ...) just as powerful, comfortable, and have all the tech the new stuff does, and get pretty close in mileage, too. I prefer SIMPLICITY. The less the vehicle has, the less to fix WHEN it breaks, not IF.   I'm glad you snot-nosed punks don't like them. More for us, plus that keeps the prices from climbing more than they already have.👍
    • cautious optimist
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By cautious optimist · Posted

      Bringing this thread back on topic. I just noticed the incredible lack of bright chrome across the entire new lineup. Even the Denali has tinted the brightwork in the grille and has none elsewhere. None of them have chrome bumpers. As far as I can tell there aren't even chrome mirror caps. I'm curious if this also happens out back? Are there no chrome rear bumpers either? This is quite the departure for GMC.
    • cautious optimist
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By cautious optimist · Posted

      Bringing this thread back on topic. I just noticed the incredible lack of bright chrome across the entire new lineup. Even the Denali has tinted the brightwork in the grille and has none elsewhere. None of them have chrome bumpers. As far as I can tell there aren't even chrome mirror caps. I'm curious if this also happens out back? Are there no chrome rear bumpers either? This is quite the departure for GMC.
    • cautious optimist
      2027 GMC Sierra: Official Discussion

      By cautious optimist · Posted

      Bringing this thread back on topic. I just noticed the incredible lack of bright chrome across the entire new lineup. Even the Denali has tinted the brightwork in the grille and has none elsewhere. None of them have chrome bumpers. As far as I can tell there aren't even chrome mirror caps. I'm curious if this also happens out back? Are there no chrome rear bumpers either? This is quite the departure for GMC.

  • GM-Trucks.com Clubs

  • Popular Contributors

×
×
  • Create New...