Voltage reading on d.i.c.
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Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 247
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Voltage reading on d.i.c.
Why does the voltage reading take about ten seconds to reach its normal start up range.when i start my1999 coupe it reads 10.8 then in about ten seconds it rises to 14.4 why the delay????
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 2003
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From: Horncastle Lincolnshire, England
2023 C5 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The DIC reads alternator output
Edit
That was a tad cryptic
Any reading with the power off is inaccurate so you can discount that. The only way to get battery voltage is to read the value across the battery terminals.
As you start up, the alternator pushes out max charge to top off the battery. As it achieves that you'll see a drop off from the 14V+ figure down to a steady state charge. Mine seems to be about 13.5V. Can't say I've ever taken that much interest but I would guess if you leave the car on a battery tender, logically, it should drop off quickly.
Edit
That was a tad cryptic
Any reading with the power off is inaccurate so you can discount that. The only way to get battery voltage is to read the value across the battery terminals.
As you start up, the alternator pushes out max charge to top off the battery. As it achieves that you'll see a drop off from the 14V+ figure down to a steady state charge. Mine seems to be about 13.5V. Can't say I've ever taken that much interest but I would guess if you leave the car on a battery tender, logically, it should drop off quickly.
Last edited by DeeGee; Jan 13, 2010 at 02:25 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,640
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From: . New York
The way I understand it, as DG said, it shows the charging system output (not the battery voltage). You do get a reading if the DIC is set to that display and you just have the key in the on position, but its not as accurate as putting a meter on the battery terminals.
Dont know if you are seeing the 10.8 when you put the key in, as you are starting it, or just in the first few seconds after you start it, but as long as it levels out at something like 13.highsomething to 14.something I would think you're good to go.
Dont know if you are seeing the 10.8 when you put the key in, as you are starting it, or just in the first few seconds after you start it, but as long as it levels out at something like 13.highsomething to 14.something I would think you're good to go.
