Voltage variations
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 675
Likes: 3
From: Riverside, California
Voltage variations
Got a "service vehicle soon" light tonight on the way home. Hit the guages button. When it scrolled to the voltage it was going between 14.1-14.2-14.3 back and forth and never settled down. I had my stereo on (with amps), no A/C nor the lights as it was still too early. What am I facing???????? Any clues or experience on this type of electrical voltage swing???? 
Padrino
Padrino
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,450
Likes: 1,155
From: Dyer, IN
Got a "service vehicle soon" light tonight on the way home. Hit the guages button. When it scrolled to the voltage it was going between 14.1-14.2-14.3 back and forth and never settled down. I had my stereo on (with amps), no A/C nor the lights as it was still too early. What am I facing???????? Any clues or experience on this type of electrical voltage swing????
Padrino
Padrino
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 836
Likes: 0
From: Colorado Springs, Colo., USA
That is pretty minimal insofar as a variation, likely explained by differing demand load on fuel pump, etc.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: San Jose CA
As noted above .2 variations would be within normal operating limits for a car’s electrical system. Service engine soon message, normally refers to smog equipment malfunction. Make sure your gas cap is on tight and also look at anything else smog related.
