correct voltage
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 383
Likes: 0
From: Michigan
correct voltage
Well I got the coupe out yesterday for the first time after buying it this Jan.
My question is. what should I see for voltage on my DIC? I'm only showing 13.3 I do have a optima yellow top battery, if that makes any differance. It was fully charged when I installed it. I had it on my new C-Tek maintainer.
After driving the car for 30 miles I put the C-tek back on it and it showed that it was recharging the battery.
Do I have a problem with my voltage regulator, or something else?
My question is. what should I see for voltage on my DIC? I'm only showing 13.3 I do have a optima yellow top battery, if that makes any differance. It was fully charged when I installed it. I had it on my new C-Tek maintainer.
After driving the car for 30 miles I put the C-tek back on it and it showed that it was recharging the battery.
Do I have a problem with my voltage regulator, or something else?
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
This same question gets asked 4-5 times a week. DO NOT use the DIC and or dash volt meter to rely on the TRUE battery charging voltage.
Use a DC Volt meter and read/compare what the ACTUAL voltage is directly on the battery terminals. The DIC and dash volt meter gets readings in circuit (thru circuit components) and is normally lower than what the battery is actually getting.
IF,,,,,the voltage is still LOW, read the directly on the back of the alternators output terminal to ground.
The alternator output goes thru the starter solenoid and then up to the battery. Use a 8 -10 gage wire to run a jumper wire directly from the back of the alternators output terminal to the battery positive terminal and see if that makes a difference.
If it does, you need to inspect and clean the wiring on the starter/battery and alternator terminals.
BC
Use a DC Volt meter and read/compare what the ACTUAL voltage is directly on the battery terminals. The DIC and dash volt meter gets readings in circuit (thru circuit components) and is normally lower than what the battery is actually getting.
IF,,,,,the voltage is still LOW, read the directly on the back of the alternators output terminal to ground.
The alternator output goes thru the starter solenoid and then up to the battery. Use a 8 -10 gage wire to run a jumper wire directly from the back of the alternators output terminal to the battery positive terminal and see if that makes a difference.
If it does, you need to inspect and clean the wiring on the starter/battery and alternator terminals.
BC
Anyway I printed off your instructions for future referance. 
What do I want to see for voltage?
