Kevin in Atlanta

1990 S4 105k
Newly installed SeanR built front harness.

Voltage at battery engine running 14+ volts.
Gauge reports 12v on startup and may increase to 12.25v after driving a bit. Or not.

Voltmeter does not react to the blinkers. But, if you turn the lights on the voltmeter will show an increase in voltage - maybe a half a volt to 12.5v.

That last bit I have never seen before.

Ideas? I will start to look at grounds.

928Myles

Kevin,
exactly what my voltmeter has done ever since I took the pod out the first time to clean all the connections and replace a few bulbs. I have had the pod out several times since to try to fix it but with no luck yet.
Grounds have been cleaned multiple times since to no avail.

Sorry not much help but eager to see if you find a fix.

Myles

Speedtoys

Were also missing corrosion/resistance in the voltmeter pot that adjusts/calibrates it.

It's also a dirty exposed part of the circuit as well...exercise it with corrosion cleaner when it's out.

Couple of vids of it here, and adjusting it.


(Yes, i called it a regulator by accident)

Snowglobe

Thank you speedtoys

Kevin in Atlanta

What I wonder ( and I am no electrical genius ) is if turning the lights uses a different ground and therefore a higher voltage reading. Maybe Alan could chime in.

dr bob

Consider that with headlights on, the voltage to the dash illumination actually decreases. You have a leak or crossed connection between illumination and voltage sense. My too sense.

Kevin in Atlanta

Not sure this is related, but my gas gauge also is misbehaving. I reads 1/2 full all the time.

Nicole

That's pretty darn annoying. But it could be a lot worse and show 1/2 empty.

Kevin in Atlanta

I am grateful for that.