voltage guage fluxuation

[wilsonwilson]

how much should the needle on my guage move when,

switching gears, turning on heater to full blast, stuff like that.

now that cold weather has hit, i had my heater going full blast, head lights on, whippers going, and my stereo on, with amp, but not loud, my voltage guage drops to about 1/4 if not a little lower when idle. and there is a noticible dimming in dash lights, when I go, the alternaor kick it back up, and guage sets at about dead center.

Is this just normal, or is my alt. going bad or is it another problem.

thanks

 

[leenjen]

that seems like a lot. mine stays up close to 18 most of the time. sometimes it'll have a quick slight flicker and go right back where it was.

 

[beavis195]

mine does the same thing. It pisses me off because the heater will start to not blow as much air, the headlights and inside lights become dimmer. Anybody know what causes this?

 

[leenjen]

i doubt the alternator is bad. maybe it's the voltage regulator..

 

[01EB5.0]

this condition is normal. i have the same problem..headlights on, heat blower on high and turn signal on the gauge goes up and down when the turn signal flashes. it is normal and as long as the needle isn;t going into the red your ok. the volatge gauge fluctuates on my car and on my mom's 94 ford van. they sent it in under warentee and ford said as long as the needle doesn;t go to red it is normal.