Voltage fluctuation question
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Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Endicott New York
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Voltage fluctuation question
I noticed yesterday that at idle, my digital voltage readout was fluctuating between 14.1 to 13.7 back and forth. At speed, it was reading 14.1. Is this normal or could there be an issue? I never noticed it doing that before.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Both of those voltages are in spec. Sometimes loads thruout the car turning on and off and cause small fluctuations. If there are wide frequent voltage swings, it can be caused by other things:
The MOST COMMON area for wiring issues to cause charging system issues is the connections at the STARTER SOLENOID and loose or improperly connected battery cable connections..
The battery cable connectors need to be clean and torqued on the battery to 11 FT/LBS. (97-2003) cars..
I highly recommend cleaning and checking the connections at the solenoid. They come LOOSE A LOT and cause all sorts of voltage issues!
Something else to keep in mind. The voltage reading on the DIC and on the IPC volt meter IS NOT a battery voltage reading. Its a reading of the voltage THRU the IGNITION SWITCH! There can be a significant difference between the actual battery voltage measured at the battery terminals and the reading at the IPC/DIC readings.
Its caused by dirty ignition switch contacts inside the switch!
- C5 ignition Switch repair - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
BC
The MOST COMMON area for wiring issues to cause charging system issues is the connections at the STARTER SOLENOID and loose or improperly connected battery cable connections..
The battery cable connectors need to be clean and torqued on the battery to 11 FT/LBS. (97-2003) cars..
I highly recommend cleaning and checking the connections at the solenoid. They come LOOSE A LOT and cause all sorts of voltage issues!
Something else to keep in mind. The voltage reading on the DIC and on the IPC volt meter IS NOT a battery voltage reading. Its a reading of the voltage THRU the IGNITION SWITCH! There can be a significant difference between the actual battery voltage measured at the battery terminals and the reading at the IPC/DIC readings.
Its caused by dirty ignition switch contacts inside the switch!
- C5 ignition Switch repair - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
BC
