Amp gauge reading too low!

[superfestiva]

Volt gauge reading too low!

Hi:
Sometimes when I am stuck on traffic for too long I notice that the volt gauge is reading way low...not in the red section but like at 1/4...the battery is a three week old Motorcraft, so I don't think it is a voltage problem related to it...
Please help...

 

[budwich]

Are you talking "amp gauge" or "voltage gauge". My 96 stock doesn't have an amp gauge... and I suspect no ex's have stock amp gauges. Anyways, it is likely that you may not have a good connection at your battery when you replaced it (ie. three weeks ago) or perhaps the reason why your battery needed replacing in the first .... a poor alternator. You can usually get both (battery and alternator) tested at some part supply stores for "free" assuming that they aren't trying to sell you anything... ;-)

 

[superfestiva]

Voltage gauge

Are you talking "amp gauge" or "voltage gauge". My 96 stock doesn't have an amp gauge... and I suspect no ex's have stock amp gauges. Anyways, it is likely that you may not have a good connection at your battery when you replaced it (ie. three weeks ago) or perhaps the reason why your battery needed replacing in the first .... a poor alternator. You can usually get both (battery and alternator) tested at some part supply stores for "free" assuming that they aren't trying to sell you anything... ;-)

True that...I dunno what I was thinking...it is a voltage gauge...bad battery connection? What do you mean like to check for corrosion, terminals, etc?
Do I have to replace the alternator right away?

Thanks bro,

 

[budwich]

As a voltmeter, your guage is "pretty good" indication of voltages around the "area". Lot's of post about problems in general. Basically, your alternator at normal load, no lights, no fan, no AC should be putting out around 14volts and your meter should stay in about the middle area. With load, you might see this drop a bit when you are sitting in traffic. However, if your battery is weak (which you say is new) or the alternator can't put out enough "juice", it will drop significantly. A poor connection at the battery (corrosion, loose bolt on connector, etc) will cause problems in a similar manner.

If your alternator is a problem, you should get it checked since if it isn't providing adequate charging voltage / current to your battery, then your battery will always be draining too much and this isn't good for the health of your battery... it will shorten its life span from years to months.

 

[shamaal]

To add to budwich's advice, many of the auto stores (Autozone) can test alternators. Consistent insufficient output voltage should or low current be an easy test.

 

[ma96782]

IMHO.....take the battery and alt out and have them both bench tested........hey if it's the battery.....you already have it there for replacement.......it HAS happened before. Ask me how I KNOW.

While the parts are out.......do a clean up and inspection.

Aloha,Mark