1996 Chevy Astro charging system fluctuates?

12,900 MILES • 6 CYL • 2WD • AUTOMATIC
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WALSTIB
  • MEMBER
  • 1 POST
The needle on the electrical gauge usually sits about one or two "needle widths" to the left of center. When I first start the van the needle will be centered or even one needle width to charging side. After driving for awhile, it will change to the discharge side, but only slightly. Running heater, lights etc, doesn't change the needle position. Should I be worried? What should I do? Bothers me to see it in the discharge side, even if only slightly. Bought the van used about 8K miles ago and has been this way since. Thanks
Aug 1, 2008 at 10:36 AM
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MERLIN2021
  • ✓Experienced Mechanic
  • 17,250 POSTS
You can always hook up an ammeter to it just to test the system, some gauges are dead on accurate, some arent! 8,000 miles and no starting or charging problems probably means you are OK!
Aug 1, 2008 at 10:40 AM
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