Voltage readings??
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Dallas
Voltage readings??
Quick question
My Insight CTS seems to be giving me inaccurate voltage readings when running. About 2 weeks ago I replaced the alternator on my truck due to low readings, had it tested and it was bad. Now my CTS is showing volts when running between 13.2 and 13.8 fairly consistantly. When I got home yesterday I parked the truck and I was showing 13.5v on the CTS. I got out my handy multimeter and tested the volts and the batteries and both read 14.1v. I have read that that due to loss in wiring and connectors that and gauge could read as much as +/- 5% which would make my CTS reading correct. Just makes me wonder what other readings on the CTS are inaccurate.
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance
My Insight CTS seems to be giving me inaccurate voltage readings when running. About 2 weeks ago I replaced the alternator on my truck due to low readings, had it tested and it was bad. Now my CTS is showing volts when running between 13.2 and 13.8 fairly consistantly. When I got home yesterday I parked the truck and I was showing 13.5v on the CTS. I got out my handy multimeter and tested the volts and the batteries and both read 14.1v. I have read that that due to loss in wiring and connectors that and gauge could read as much as +/- 5% which would make my CTS reading correct. Just makes me wonder what other readings on the CTS are inaccurate.
Any thoughts? Thanks in advance
Hotshot
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 17,823
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From: Jersey Shore
Loss in wiring and connections may not reflect the voltage at the batteries, but the readings may be reflective of the voltage at the components due to loss in wiring and connections.
There will always be some drop in voltage, but the goal is to reduce those drops by improving connections, cleaning any that haven't been touched in years. What is the voltage at the power port? Is it close to that at the batteries?
There will always be some drop in voltage, but the goal is to reduce those drops by improving connections, cleaning any that haven't been touched in years. What is the voltage at the power port? Is it close to that at the batteries?
Token Redneck
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 9,331
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From: Breckenridge, TX
The 12V plugs on the dash, one is a cigarette lighter and the other just has a plastic plug stuck in it.
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Postmaster
Joined: Sep 2010
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Wanna bet that your last alternator wasn't bad after all. You Must test not only at the batteries, but at the rear post on the alternator for the most accurate reading due to line resistance.
I see the same 13.5 v on my Dashboss through the OBD port, approx 1/2v diff.
Hope the forum can save you a few bucks in the future.
I see the same 13.5 v on my Dashboss through the OBD port, approx 1/2v diff.
Hope the forum can save you a few bucks in the future.
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That is definitely a possibility. On the last alternator the CTS read low 12's and with engine running it read mid 12's at the battery. To compound everything my FICM was reading in the low 30's when driving so before I fixed the FICM I put an alternator on it. When the CTS was a little low on the Batt volts I started checking everything to hopefully prevent frying another FICM. Both batteries test good when cranking. Looks like I can check this off my to do list....for now...
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