Voltage issue

CHEVY96

MEMBER
1996 CHEVROLET S-10
4 CYL
2WD
AUTOMATIC
155 MILES

Thanks for the quick response concerning my s-10.
I ran a bottle of injector cleaner through and it is starting better.
The issue now is my battery volts. When I start the truck it jumps up to 17 but as I drive it goes back to the normal 14.
Could the initial spike in voltage be the underlying problem that is causing the starting problem? I also just changed one of my headlights. Should I change the other one as well to balance out the electrical output?

5 Replies

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

That wouldn't have anything to do with a starting problem but it is a problem in itself. You can't have that kind of voltage at any time. It will do a lot of damage to your electrical components throughout the truck. That's likely a bad alternator but could be a problem with the battery too.

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Friday, March 11th, 2011 AT 1:28 PM

CHEVY96

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3 POSTS

Thanks again-I'll get the battery and alternator retested.

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Friday, March 11th, 2011 AT 1:59 PM

WRENCHTECH

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20,761 POSTS

You can test the battery but testing the alternator would be futile unless the problem is present at the moment of the test.

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Friday, March 11th, 2011 AT 2:02 PM

CHEVY96

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3 POSTS

I am also going to replace the other headlight. I took the old one off and I couldnt't start the truck. I put it back on and it started. I could also have a voltage regulator going bad.

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Friday, March 11th, 2011 AT 2:45 PM

WRENCHTECH

MECHANIC
20,761 POSTS

Don't waste your money on the headlight. The overcharging is what's burning the lights out. The voltage regulator is likely the problem but that is built into the alternator.