voltage gauge fluctuates

[denniskgb]

Ok may be a stupid question, but noticed that while driving the voltage gauge goes up to quarter mark past 12 volts and drops down almost to 12 volts at idle at traffic light. is it normal or a sign i need a new battery. i do have a battery tender and i religiously use it when not driving my car. not sure about the age of the battery.

 

[denniskgb]

Anyone????

 

[AZTVR]

I was waiting for a pro mechanic to answer. Here is shadetree hobbyist input.: You should take the car to Autozone type place with free charging system checking and have them test the car. I don't know what the quarter mark past 12V is or whether your gauge is accurate. To me, it sounds like your alternator/regulator is not putting out the right voltage. It should be high 13s to mid 14s volts with car running, and no appreciable load (like no AC, no headlights, no 1000W stereo on.)

Does the voltmeter read around the 12V mark when you have ignition on and engine not running and nothing else turned on? If yes, then turn headlights on high beam (engine not running). Does voltage drop a lot or a little? If just a little, I wouldn't suspect battery; but, failures do funny things. Does the car start normally? If so, doesn't sound like a dead cell in the battery that would cause an issue with the alternator.

 

[DarcShadow]

I have seen mine fluctuate, but now that I think about it, it was an old battery. Haven't paid any attention since changing batteries to see if it still does it. I'd mainly notice it at night when the headlights were, sitting at a stop light they would flicker a little if I bliped the throttle and the gauge would fluctuate.

 

[cubican]

You are in need of a new battery, that will take care of it.

 

[denniskgb]

Thank you guys thats what i was starting to think

 

[8.0L>1.8T]

Plus keep a float/trickle charger on it to keep it fresh. The sensors like that.

 

[Viper98912]

Mine stays at 14v all day

 

[denniskgb]

Plus keep a float/trickle charger on it to keep it fresh. The sensors like that.

it gets plugged in every time its parked

 

[8.0L>1.8T]

it gets plugged in every time its parked

Good man,
Well, with that in mind, you certainly need a new battery if it's draining that quickly. I agree with those that mention Walmart, specifically for their 3 year warranties. That way, if/when it goes bad within those 3 years, you (obviously) get a new one and can diagnose the other problem that you'd have in that scenario.