Voltmeter question

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Sep 10, 2007 | 08:10 PM

bobmac6

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Cruising

Joined: Jun 2007

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From: Monroe Twp NJ

Voltmeter question

My 94's volt meter seems to jump from 13.9 to 14.5 and jumps up and down the scale when crusing. Is this normal or an indication that trouble is near? OR HERE ALREADY

Sep 10, 2007 | 09:20 PM

SJW

Le Mans Master

Joined: May 2005

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From: Central Maryland

No, it's not normal. I wouldn't suggest you panic about it, but I'd begin looking for a fault in the charging system or related circuitry. Check all grounds, connections at battery and alternator, etc. Could be the regulator is beginning to whiz out.

Be well,

SJW

Sep 10, 2007 | 09:40 PM

engle1147

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From: Tampa Florida

14.5 is a normal output voltage..... Check to see if there is corrosion on the connector that plugs in to the driver's side of the alternator....clean it then put some vasaline on the pins before reinstalling the connector. Additionally the (load) jumping around could be caused by other electrical loads.....things such as a failing fan motor (cooling fan and or AC fan) AC clutch (engaging and disengaging ~ short cycling AC system) bad battery, loose or shorted/shorting wiring.....If your still unsure why not remove the alternator and have it tested -- then go from there.

I have had and alternator implode (Bosch product) on my car before..... you can smell them burning just before they burst into flames.....always carry a chemical fire extinguisher those electrical fires are hard to put out!

Sep 10, 2007 | 09:53 PM

BADDUCK

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From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas

Could be as simple as a loose or corroded positive battery cable.

Sep 10, 2007 | 10:00 PM

Da Mail Man

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2004

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........after checking the connections (ie battery, hot wire from alt, etc) and assuming all is well, take teh alt to autozone (or similar) and have them test it..they may be able to "load it up" for you to test regulator....could also be a brush...

Sep 11, 2007 | 08:18 AM

bobmac6

Thread Starter

Cruising

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 14

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From: Monroe Twp NJ

Thank you all, will follow advice..
Bob

Oct 3, 2007 | 07:59 PM

bobmac6

Thread Starter

Cruising

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 14

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From: Monroe Twp NJ

Thanks

I finally got to check the charging system, and followed the suggestions listed here...something worked. I believe that battery cables may not have been tight enough, I cleaned & tightened them and cleaned the terminals on the alternator. Seems to be charging ok...took it for a long ride over the weekend and it stayedat 14.2 most of the time.

THANKS ALL FOR YOUR HELP