Voltage

98Z71Slvrdo · May 1, 2007

Just got a quick question and need some advice. I've got a basically bone stock 98 ECSB 4X4 with a 5.7 in it and have noticed lately that the voltage gauge has been reading lower than normal. Last winter and when it was cooler out my gauge always read at 15 or higher (at cold start high idle) regardless of which acessories were on. Now that its warmed up and these past couple weeks have been in the mid 70's i've noticed the gauge showing at 14 first starting up and 13 or a hair lower when its warmed up and the acessories are running. I've replaced the alternator twice now (first time was reman'd junk) and now have a stock Delphi unit in. Battery or cables going bad? This truck has gotta make the long haul home from college with me and my junk so any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!

HyperBuzzin · May 1, 2007

Battery or cables going bad?

Cables would be the first thing I'd look at. Especially where they connect to the battery.

emtcee1973 · May 1, 2007

yup, probably the cables...sme thing happened to me and thats what it was...

emtcee1973 · May 1, 2007

also make sure the guage is accurate....

bryanhunt · May 2, 2007

also make sure the guage is accurate....

Yah.... normal 12V system voltage should be 13.5

BigWheelinBubba · May 3, 2007

also make sure the guage is accurate....

Yah.... normal 12V system voltage should be 13.5

My 95 does the same thing... It has 2 batteries and its at 14 normally, but lately its been at 11-12. It starts/runs fine and the lights are bright but the gauge isn't where it used to be.

All of my cables are new.

black rhino · May 5, 2007

I have been experiencing the same thing. The voltage reads low, but the old truck seems to be running just fine and the lights bright. If I don't start her up for a couple of weeks though the battery will drain down. I've replaced alternators, cables, cleaned grounds, etc.

bryanhunt · May 5, 2007

The analog clock will drain the average battery down to lower than starting voltage in about two weeks (also if you just start the truck to move it around the yard the battery isn't recharging). Just disconnect it or get one of those solar trickle chargers you can throw on your dashboard (assuming you don't have the truck in a pole barn or something)

98Z71Slvrdo · May 5, 2007

I made it home fine, sure enough, its crankin up fine, lights are bright, dash bright, everything works. Even now that its been warm for a while, ill start it up and it will read at 15 like it used to for a while and slowly work its way down and settle at fourteen while running and just under at a dead stop with things like the lights, A/C, on. Im puzzled. Checked battery cables, cleaned connections, checked water level in battery, alternators good....cant think of what it could be.