Voltage Gauge

[chrispy98cobra]

When I first start the car and drive it for about 10 minutes, the volt gauge runs in the middle. But as driving goes on, it goes toward the negative side. Is this normal? Or is my alternator on its way out? There seems to be no problems with the lights or anything yet.

[bobbys97R]

its mot normal but before replaceing the alt you should break out the old volt guage and see if shes putting out 13-14 volts at 2k rpm then go have your battery checked alot of auto parts stores will do it for free running on a bad battery will kill an alt quick

[hotwheels]

I too would take it in for a checking.......could be the alt, a ground or the battery.

[chrispy98cobra]

i took it in and the alt tested fine-putting out 13.51v @2k rpm, the battery tested good but has a low charge.......i tried charging it but it says its charged so im assuming its the battery

[hotwheels]

Are the battery terminals clean? If they are clean, see what happens with a new battery.

[chrispy98cobra]

yeah im gonna try a new battery, the terminals are pretty clean and even the battery looks clean

[chrispy98cobra]

so i tried a new battery and it still sits between the O and the R but it sits more on the R. Maybe thats just where it sits?

[huff-n-puff]

I am the Service mgr at a goodyear store in Nashville, Tn and we like to see around 13.8 to 14.2 at idle. If you have pulleys it may be a little lower at idle but I would definately want to see at least 13.8 at 2,000 rpm. It's real easy to take that alternator off. I would suggest taking it to a specialized alternator and starter rebuilding facility. good luck

[1 clean notch]

I have a very simular issue which has always been a problem even before putting under drive pulleys on the car. When i start my car in the morning and drive it cold, the voltage needle is over half way, and the alt seems to be producing about 14 v, but after I drive it for about 20 min, the needle is ususally below half. I have had 3 different alternators on the car, replaced both battery cables, cleaned the ground on the engine, and on the chassis. The battery is only 1.5 years old and was bought brand new from NAPA... I was thinking about getting an sn95 alternator to add more amps... When I check the voltage at idle it is less than 13 volts after the car has been warmed up, and above 2k rpm it still doesnt produce more than about 13.1.

[chrispy98cobra]

its wierd isnt it? I just checked it myself with a multimeter and with the car off tha battery is at 13v. with the car running its a 14v but the damn gauge wont go up