DrZ1

Where should the charge be for the battery gauge on the cluster while driving or idle? Mine seems to be staying around 12, I thought it used to be closer to the 14. I have replaced the battery w/ Interstate megatron mt-91. I use as a daily driver so dont want to be stranded, Alternator may be on way out?

Thanks
Steve

zoltan944

well the alternator gauge of all of them seems to be the least accurate and the first to fail. So I trust it not. However this is about the easiest test ever. Grab a multi meter and put it across both leads of the battery, if you get 13 or higher your alternator is working. you can then get a higher idle going and it should be in the 14's. that should be your reading on the gauge too, but its not necessarilly a true reading there.
Also Autozone or Checker or Kragen or whatever the hell you use for autoparts will test alternators for free.

968turbos2

Clean the engine and body grounds

streckfu's

The easiest thing to do is to an AutoZone or similar parts store as they test batteries and alternators for free. If they tell you the alternator is going bad, definitely clean up the engine grounds but don't jump at a new alternator. Try the voltage regulator first. Often the contacts wear down and prevent effective charging. I'd rather spend $20-30 on regulator than $150-200 for an alternator.

You still have to pull the alternator to change the regulator as it is in the back of the alternator.

toddk911

I have heard many times in here that body grounds are usually the culprit.

DrZ1

Thanks for the input, probably is the gauge as it reads below 12 while a voltmeter across the battery reads 13.27+_

I will change the regulator for preventative problems.

Steve

toddk911

Fyi in regards to the gauge:

When gauge is at 12 even, actual reading is 12.8.

When reading is at 10 actual voltage is 11.5