Voltmeter question

stock89 · 03-10-2003, 12:14 PM

All,
The other day my voltmeter in the stock guage pod (which usually hangs out around the middle of normal), shot up to 18, paused, then went all the way up so I can't even see the needle. Maybe, the needle slid, and that caused it to jump up. Maybe the guage is dead. How do I know what's going on?

Rob

cyberstang5.0 · 03-10-2003, 03:05 PM

Just to make sure it's not your alternator.... put a hand held volt meter to your battery while your car is running. It should say 14. Even if you rev the motor, it will still read 14. If it is more, then you blew the internal regulator in your alternator. If this is the case, then you can replace it or rebuild it. If it's not, then your gauge is toast. Also, if you drive with the internal regulator blown, you could blow your car's computer.

lx5091 · 03-10-2003, 06:21 PM

well, you're gonna scare the man.....

slight variances are ok.....I think mine reads 14.2

'89GTStang · 03-10-2003, 08:09 PM

turn on the key to run but don't start the car and look at the voltage it is normal when the car isn't running then it is the guage if it only does it when the car is running then it's the alternator's regulator went out.

cyberstang5.0 · 03-11-2003, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by lx5091
well, you're gonna scare the man.....

slight variances are ok.....I think mine reads 14.2

14.2 is ok. some where between 13.7 and 14.3 is a healthy range. It really depends on what kind of alternator you have and how low on juice your battery is.

PKRWUD · 03-11-2003, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by cyberstang5.0
14.2 is ok. some where between 13.7 and 14.3 is a healthy range. It really depends on what kind of alternator you have and how low on juice your battery is.

...and how accurate your meter/gauge is.

stock89 · 03-11-2003, 10:24 AM

Cyberstang and others,
I did get worried and ran over to my friend the alternator man. Together we checked it out and it's kicking the mid 14's. So that's good.

Now, can I get a voltmeter from a junkyard, or do I just manually adjust the needle?

Thanks!
Rob

cyberstang5.0 · 03-11-2003, 10:28 AM

I would just get a new gauge. This way you know it's accuate

jimmyjamed · 03-13-2003, 12:47 PM

I'd be suprised if many factory gauges are accurate!

cyberstang5.0 · 03-13-2003, 01:07 PM

My gauges are very accurate... then again my Autometer gauges aren't stock

03-10-2003, 12:14 PM	#1
stock89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mannheim, Germany Posts: 124	Voltmeter question All, The other day my voltmeter in the stock guage pod (which usually hangs out around the middle of normal), shot up to 18, paused, then went all the way up so I can't even see the needle. Maybe, the needle slid, and that caused it to jump up. Maybe the guage is dead. How do I know what's going on? Rob __________________ 89 LX 5.0 Notchback, FINALLY NO LONGER STOCK!

03-10-2003, 06:21 PM	#3
lx5091 Registered Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Location: Fall River, MA Posts: 467	well, you're gonna scare the man..... slight variances are ok.....I think mine reads 14.2 __________________ '02 Explorer XLT 4.0L --Nice Vehicle '97 Saturn SL1--Soon to be ditched for a Ford!

03-10-2003, 08:09 PM	#4
'89GTStang Registered Member Join Date: Apr 1999 Location: greenwood, ar Posts: 118	turn on the key to run but don't start the car and look at the voltage it is normal when the car isn't running then it is the guage if it only does it when the car is running then it's the alternator's regulator went out. __________________ '89 GT K&N, Twisted Wedge heads, TFS intake,FMS 1.7 rockers, Trick Flow stage 1 cam(221/225 .530in\.542in) , 3.73's, headers, off road H-pipe, Flowmasters, FMS Clutch, Tremec, PRO-5.0, FMS driveshaft, fluidyne alum. radiator, and more to come.

03-11-2003, 10:24 AM	#7
stock89 Registered Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Mannheim, Germany Posts: 124	Cyberstang and others, I did get worried and ran over to my friend the alternator man. Together we checked it out and it's kicking the mid 14's. So that's good. Now, can I get a voltmeter from a junkyard, or do I just manually adjust the needle? Thanks! Rob __________________ 89 LX 5.0 Notchback, FINALLY NO LONGER STOCK!

03-13-2003, 12:47 PM	#9
jimmyjamed Registered Member Join Date: May 2000 Location: Wilmington NC Posts: 47	I'd be suprised if many factory gauges are accurate! __________________ '65 Mustang vert, 289 4V, 4 speed '93 LX Ported E7's, Ported Cobra intake, 73mm MAF, 65mm Throttle Body, 1 5/8" shorty's, Underdrive Pullies, 3.55's, 5 speed snatched by a PRO 5.0 shifter, 155,000 and still screamin'!

03-10-2003, 03:05 PM	#2
cyberstang5.0 347ci of HORSE POWER!!! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,416	Just to make sure it's not your alternator.... put a hand held volt meter to your battery while your car is running. It should say 14. Even if you rev the motor, it will still read 14. If it is more, then you blew the internal regulator in your alternator. If this is the case, then you can replace it or rebuild it. If it's not, then your gauge is toast. Also, if you drive with the internal regulator blown, you could blow your car's computer.

03-11-2003, 10:28 AM	#8
cyberstang5.0 347ci of HORSE POWER!!! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,416	I would just get a new gauge. This way you know it's accuate

03-13-2003, 01:07 PM	#10
cyberstang5.0 347ci of HORSE POWER!!! Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Houston, TX Posts: 1,416	My gauges are very accurate... then again my Autometer gauges aren't stock

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