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1997 Dodge Truck voltage variance

Tiny
COOP65
  • MEMBER
  • 1997 DODGE TRUCK
  • V8
  • 2WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 260,000 MILES
My gauge for charging shows 7-9 volts at times and after awhile the "gen" idiot light comes on but the truck runs fine. All of a sudden the gauge will jump to 13 volts. This is intermittent - is there a voltage regulator or is this an alternator problem?
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Sunday, April 27th, 2008 AT 11:33 AM

1 Reply

Tiny
ROB2008
  • MECHANIC
  • 258 POSTS
I wouldn't really know for sure, but you can test the voltage regulator.

You just need an accurate voltage meter.

Connect the meter to the poles of the battery. Start the engine and avoid spinning her up, even not for a short moment. The reading of the meter now can be anything; a reading lower than 12.6 volt indicates a weak battery.

Slowly increase the engine speed. The meter reading should increase too, but will get "catched" at an engine speed somewhere at 1000 rpm. (8001200) From then on the reading will stay "locked". It should be 13.8V; 0.5V higher or lower is the limit of what is acceptable. A voltage too high is NOT good: it will ruin your battery and wear out bulbs and other equipment!

A voltage regulator is good when the reading hardly reacts to change of engine speed or to adding powerconsumers like electric windowheaters or main headlights.
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Sunday, April 27th, 2008 AT 11:51 AM

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