Low Voltage Upon Initial Start on my 98
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,204
Likes: 5
From: Bethlehem PA
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06-'08-'10
Low Voltage Upon Initial Start on my 98
Am having an issue in that when I start the car the voltage reading is at 11.9V. Once underway driving, the voltage rises to 14.1V. Problem is that wnen the voltage drops at start up many memory settings are lost including the key fob. The battery is a Optima red top and cranks the engine just fine and she starts. Where am I to go to understand why the voltage is so low at start up? Appreciate your help and advise guys. Thanks.
Joe aka c54funn
Joe aka c54funn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,294
Likes: 482
From: Brea CA
Read through this thread especially the section on repairing the ignition switch contacts. https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...tion-long.html
If you are reading the voltage on the gauge on the dash this is the system voltage after the ignition switch. With a DMM measure the voltage across the battery terminals before and after starting the car. Before starting it should be somewhere around 12.2 to 12.4 volts under load. After starting the voltage should be around 14v. I would also measure these voltages at the back of the alternator. The voltage at the battery and at the alternator should be within a couple of tenths of a volt. Most all of this is explained in the thread link above.
There are also other connections that could be a culpret in causing the issues you are having. Most all are covered in the linked thread.
Gary
If you are reading the voltage on the gauge on the dash this is the system voltage after the ignition switch. With a DMM measure the voltage across the battery terminals before and after starting the car. Before starting it should be somewhere around 12.2 to 12.4 volts under load. After starting the voltage should be around 14v. I would also measure these voltages at the back of the alternator. The voltage at the battery and at the alternator should be within a couple of tenths of a volt. Most all of this is explained in the thread link above.
There are also other connections that could be a culpret in causing the issues you are having. Most all are covered in the linked thread.
Gary
