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Voltmeter question ?

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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 12:33 PM
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Default Voltmeter question ?

What range does your voltmeter read while driving normally, and say constant speed highway driving?
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 12:48 PM
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13.7 to 13.8.
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by JimTN
13.7 to 13.8.
I guessed before I looked and I nailed it!!
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 02:08 PM
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14.4 here most of the time.
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 02:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Racer
I guessed before I looked and I nailed it!!
I'd like to nail your avatar
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 02:29 PM
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Originally Posted by need-for-speed
I'd like to nail your avatar

And some of his past ones.
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 02:51 PM
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14.0 to 14.4.
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 02:52 PM
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Originally Posted by rchbn
14.4 here most of the time.
13.8 on the other one
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 02:58 PM
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If the car is warmed up and not idling, anything from 13 to 14.5 is OK.
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 04:00 PM
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Originally Posted by KABAL182
What range does your voltmeter read while driving normally, and say constant speed highway driving?
I've seen 13 - 14.5, I think the lower numbers are when I have been driving with the A/C full blast
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 05:49 PM
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I have observed the DIC voltage and used a voltmeter to measure the voltage at the battery, and the DIC normally reads about .5 V less than at the battery terminals.
My DIC voltage is around 13.9v at idle with the battery fully charged.
While driving, the voltage runs as high as 14.2 to 14.4v.

Last edited by TEXHAWK0; Oct 15, 2011 at 05:52 PM.
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Old Oct 15, 2011 | 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by VET4LES
14.0 to 14.4.
Seems like mine is always somewhere between 14 to 14.4
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Old Oct 16, 2011 | 02:12 AM
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Thank you , I had a problem about a week ago. The car slow cranked and i had to have it jumped. The car sat for one day then I brought it into the dealer to be checked out. On the way there during the day no radio ,light etc. everything off the volt steadily dropped from 14- 13.8 range down to 12.2. this was a highway ride about 20 min at around 55- 70 mph. Car had a check engine light on. {I made a post about needing a new dealer.}
The tech claims light was a crank sensor error. They cleared the code and told me nothing was wrong and the car checked out to spec. I said it's not possible etc. I have only been taking the car out during the day and watching the voltmeter..its all over the place nothing above 13 volts after 10 min of the car running. i'ts in 12.2- 12.8. long story short car had a ruff start again tonight, but it turned over. Car was running ruff also. I plan on bringing the car someplace else. Has anyone used robert chevrolet in hicksville?, they are close to my office. I think my car needs a new battery. p.s its a 2011 grandsport with 2,500 miles.
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Old Oct 16, 2011 | 05:07 AM
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Had a Cadillac Allante that did the same thing. Turned out it was the alternator. After replacing it, all was fine.
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Old Oct 16, 2011 | 08:33 AM
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I thought the alternator also or the battery. They assured me it was charging properly. Im not one to bash about little things but this is auto mechanics 101. Dealer dropped the ball on my previous visit for different repair, and the staff went out of there way to correct there problems. Gave free oil change next visit etc. But I would just like the car repaired properly the first time. It's frustrating as for last 10 years I have been lucky that none of my other vettes have had to go into the dealers for any repairs and A brand new car has had to go in twice in 2,500 miles.
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Old Oct 16, 2011 | 08:49 AM
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Some battery basics:

A new battery not hooked up to an alternator should read approximately 12.8 volts.

Once hooked to an alternator it should read approximately 1 to 1.5 volts higher.

It sounds to me that your battery is not being charged properly by the alternator.

The alternator has two basic parts. One part creates the electricity and the other part regulates the amount of charge going to the battery.

To me, it appears that the voltage regulator portion of the alternator has an intermittent fault.
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Old Oct 16, 2011 | 09:18 AM
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Originally Posted by KABAL182
What range does your voltmeter read while driving normally, and say constant speed highway driving?
It will vary with battery condition and accessory loads , generally speaking , the acceptable range is 13.2 to 14.6 .
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Old Oct 16, 2011 | 10:29 AM
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Thanks guys everyone is confirming my thoughts on the problem. This should have been fixed the first time. The dealer tech was telling me that the sub 13 volt range to 12.2 is normal, I disagreed. Anyway thanks to all that have responded.
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Old Oct 16, 2011 | 02:27 PM
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Originally Posted by VET4LES
14.0 to 14.4.
Same here.
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 12:28 PM
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Default Voltmeter

KABAL182,
I'm sorry to hear you're having problems with your car. I'd suggest taking it to the dealership and having them run some diagnostics to check out your battery and alternator if you're concerned. If you need help locating a dealership or setting up and appointment let me know.

Chevrolet Customer Service,
Justin




Originally Posted by KABAL182
What range does your voltmeter read while driving normally, and say constant speed highway driving?
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