charging problem ?
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 1
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charging problem ?
I have a c5 . My volt meter has always read a steady 13.8 . It just started jumping up to 14.1 down to 12.6 back to 13.2 13 .8 in other words all over. The car has 90000miles. Does it need new gen.
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 has been stated many times. The DIC digital voltage reading and the IPC analog volt meter DOES NOT represent actual battery voltage.
It shows the voltage coming out of the IGNITION SWITCH.
If your DIC and Analog meters are not stable, I would suspect the Ignition Switch or that complete circuit.
Obtain a hand held DC voltmeter and read the actual battery voltage on the battery terminals. Compare that voltage to the IPC meters.
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,, That voltage is jumping around on the battery terminals, check the connections on the Starter Solenoid. The Charging Path from the alternator to the battery is: From the BATT terminal on the back of the alternator down to the solenoid main terminal and up to the battery POS terminal.
Those are the steps that I would take before replacing parts.
BC
It shows the voltage coming out of the IGNITION SWITCH.
If your DIC and Analog meters are not stable, I would suspect the Ignition Switch or that complete circuit.
Obtain a hand held DC voltmeter and read the actual battery voltage on the battery terminals. Compare that voltage to the IPC meters.
IF,,,,,,,,,,,,, That voltage is jumping around on the battery terminals, check the connections on the Starter Solenoid. The Charging Path from the alternator to the battery is: From the BATT terminal on the back of the alternator down to the solenoid main terminal and up to the battery POS terminal.
Those are the steps that I would take before replacing parts.
BC
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
If just the voltmeter readings are in question, here is a post for you to look over:
C5 ignition Switch repair - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
Here is a picture of the starter solenoid and the connections junction through which the charging and starting voltage goes through:
C5 ignition Switch repair - http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-t...ch-repair.html
Here is a picture of the starter solenoid and the connections junction through which the charging and starting voltage goes through:
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,109
Likes: 4,137
From: Kannapolis NC
I've seen that starter connection Bill told you about cause what you're seeing on three C5's. On one, the owner didn't do anything and it eventually didn't start. By the time he checked the connection, the bakelite around the post in the starter connection was charcoaled and the starter had to be replaced. (he could have probably replaced the solenoid, but the starter had to come out anyway so he replaced the starter)
