Erradic Voltage
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Pharr TX
Erradic Voltage
I've been having some funny voltage readings on my 05 for the past week. The voltage has been fluctuating anywhere from 11.8 - 14.3 within the same drive. I've noticed that in the afternoons (3pm - 5pm) the voltage seems to drop more and be unstable as compared to the mornings and evenings when it's cooler outside. I'm not sure if this even has anything to do with it or not...just an observation. I was hoping you all could help me out with any advice or expertise. I appreciate it. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,690
Likes: 1
From: Northern Calif
I am since my "chk charging system" message came on the other day. I now look at the Volts and found at idle at long lights the fans kick on and volts will grad drop to what you have but while moving they stay pretty solid at 14-14+. Not sure if this is norm op or not
since my "chk charging system" message came on the other day. I now look at the Volts and found at idle at long lights the fans kick on and volts will grad drop to what you have but while moving they stay pretty solid at 14-14+. Not sure if this is norm op or not
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 46,295
Likes: 2,596
From: Northern, VA
St. Jude Donor '15
"In honor of jpee"
There's bound to be some electrical guru come on this thread, but I just asked my friend who is one, last night!
My '08 started "fluctuating" a bit during a drive, not as drastic as yours. Still, anywhere from 13.2 to 14.3. In the past, when I bothered to set the DIC and watch it, it stayed seemingly on 14.3 or so and didn't vary. But that could be because I didn't watch it all the time.
I'm told that a fully charged battery and while running the car, you don't want it continuously at 14.3 or so. It will fluctuate and should, otherwise the battery would become overcharged. Also, it's conditional on ambient temps as well, cold requiring more charging, or more frequent charging.
I guess it kind of makes sense. Using a battery tender, obviously, that cycles on and off as needed. If it stayed on all the time that might not be so good.
Don't know if this helps you since yours is going pretty far down, but then you might also have an older battery than mine which may indicate something else as well.
My '08 started "fluctuating" a bit during a drive, not as drastic as yours. Still, anywhere from 13.2 to 14.3. In the past, when I bothered to set the DIC and watch it, it stayed seemingly on 14.3 or so and didn't vary. But that could be because I didn't watch it all the time.
I'm told that a fully charged battery and while running the car, you don't want it continuously at 14.3 or so. It will fluctuate and should, otherwise the battery would become overcharged. Also, it's conditional on ambient temps as well, cold requiring more charging, or more frequent charging.
I guess it kind of makes sense. Using a battery tender, obviously, that cycles on and off as needed. If it stayed on all the time that might not be so good.
Don't know if this helps you since yours is going pretty far down, but then you might also have an older battery than mine which may indicate something else as well.
