voltage guage reading very low...below 12- perhaps 9/10 volts. Battery voltage engine off 12vs/ engine running same 12vs... engine running, lights on ,ac on -battery voltage is maintained at 12vs...n
Asked by James Jun 15, 2017 at 06:44 PM about the 2001 Dodge RAM 1500 WS LB RWD
Question type: Maintenance & Repair
dash volt meter reads lower...8-10 volts, battery reads 12 volts engine off. battery reads 12vs engine running, with ac,lights brake pedal down...battery still reads a fluttering 12volts. seems dash gage is too low and charging system not at usual 13.8-14.8 volts charging and under load. is this a bad alt or internal regulator or some ghost to be chased down. HELP?
5 Answers
HAVE THE SYSTEM vated BATTEY VOLTS BATTERY LOAD ALT AMPS ALT VOLTS STARTER DRAW... GET A CHEAP IF YOU DONT HAVE ONE VOLT METER AND CHECK IT AT THE BATTERY... WITH IT OFF THEN RUNNING..OFF 12- WHAT RUNNING 12,13,WHAT... OR JUST CHANGE OUT THE ALT..CHEAP AND EASY TO DO
Have the alternator tested.
Cold cranking amps has. Lot to do with it and having anything tested by a store will end up costing you. Take the positive cable off while running if it does alternator is problem if run its battery
Kevin this is a 2 year old thread and advising people to disconnect the alternator with the engine running can cause a voltage spike and damage to the electrical system.
Kevin is right but he’s talking about ur positive on ur battery if ur truck stays running then the alt is keeping the 12 volts circulating to keep the engine running if it’s bad it won’t and ur truck will shut off a few sec after I’m hooking the positive from ur battery
