Stock Voltmeter Reading?

[Mud-Nut]

Hey guys.... I'm having a few electrical issues. I'm almost positive it's an alternator issue. Everything makes sense, except the voltmeter in the dash. It's readings don't match up with what I think it should be telling me, and it's throwing me off.

So my question is, where does the voltmeter in the dash get its reading from??? I wish I had a wiring diagram for this truck!

Thanks guys!

[Mud-Nut]

Anyone????

[ono_55]

It comes off one of the plugs on the alt. What is the voltage reading at the alt??

[kinghawg98]

Multi-meters are good..

Who cares what the dash says, get a meter out.

Whats going on to make you think its the alt?

[Mud-Nut]

Yeah, I was messing around with the multi-meter last night.

In the dash, sometimes it's around 14V, where it should be, but sometimes it drops anywhere between 8V and 12V.

I guess I have a bad alternator. Probably cheaper to get it rebuilt.

[kinghawg98]

eh...could be a bad alt, could a a bad batt as well killing your voltage. Gotta make sure..could be something as small as a loose connection. Lots of possibilites, do a little poking around before you go swapping parts.

[Mud-Nut]

Yeah.... We poked around today. The one battery was definitely bad.... Replaced it. But I'm still having issues. I think the alternator is bad too. Earlier today, after running the truck for a bit, the alternator got really hot!!!! When I get back into town, I'm going to get it tested. Half the time it works, half the time it doesn't?!

[kinghawg98]

its possible that you had a bad batt for a long time and managed to burn out the alternator.

So the alternator is what 150-200 bucks? (not sure for your truck) replace it and be done with it before you kill the new battery.

[Mud-Nut]

Originally Posted by kinghawg98

its possible that you had a bad batt for a long time and managed to burn out the alternator.

Yeah, that's what we figured as well.

Originally Posted by kinghawg98

So the alternator is what 150-200 bucks? (not sure for your truck) replace it and be done with it before you kill the new battery.

I'm actually going to look into getting the alternator rebuilt.... This guy is awesome, he's already done a few for me, and he's giving me warranty on them. And it's cheaper than buying a new alternator.