My voltage gauge is fluttering.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: CA
My voltage gauge is fluttering.
Really noticeable when I'm at idle. Just starting happening today (red lights, drive-thru). Is this a sign of the alternator going bad? I've had several alternators go bad over the years but I've alway got the voltage indicator warning from the console. On the drive back from lunch, I had the A/C on and the lights on (parking garage) and when I put the car in park, the needle on the indicator was nearly straight up!! I also posted recently that my car has stalled several times in the last two weeks and I've lost the radio presets but not the trip mileage information when it happened. I had the battery tested and it's fine and I've triple checked the cable connections and they are tight. Please help...or make me an offer on my 90 with a ZZ4 with 20k+ miles on the new engine. :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 5,818
Likes: 2
From: Alive and well in Burlington NC
Re: My voltage gauge is fluttering. (gpagaduan)
Check the battery with a volt meter. Should read 12v when not running. Start the car and check again. Should be up in the 14v range.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 163
Likes: 0
From: Glendale Az
Re: My voltage gauge is fluttering. (gpagaduan)
Sounds like you might have some corrosion inside the battery cables. Just because they are tight doesn't necessarly mean anything. Pull them off and check the flat parts for corrosion. :chevy
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 554
Likes: 1
From: CA
Re: My voltage gauge is fluttering. (69vetteracer)
Well, it wasn't the alternator. It tested fine. I do think it was the negative battery cable. I've taken it on and off so many times, and a couple of times I've tightened it too much to the point where I've stripped the threading of the side post a little. Like when you over tighten and all of a sudden it's loose again. I also replace the IAC weatherpack because it was broken and I had it connected with electrical tape. The fluttering appears to have stopped for now. I'll keep my fingers crossed.
