Question on Volt gauge.

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Sep 21, 2007 | 10:50 PM

gtsom6

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 56

Likes: 0

From: S.York PA

Question on Volt gauge.

96 powerstroke, 154,000. Every time I start the truck the volt gauge sits on the (N) for almost 30 seconds before it jumps up to the, I guess normal position, between the R and M. Any suggestions on what may be going on. The only issues I can think of doing this is the glow plugs, but I don't know.

Sep 21, 2007 | 11:51 PM

kawa

Postmaster

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 2,795

Likes: 1

From: Rogue River, OR

I have a '97 PSD and thought that I had that same problem until c00nhunterjoe told me that was just the way they were made. After the engine starts it won't show a charge on the instrument for 30-45 seconds.

What threw me was that I had never noticed this quirk until I washed my engine. I thought that all hell had broke loose.

Roger

Sep 22, 2007 | 11:52 AM

jboard

Elder User

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 712

Likes: 0

From: Marietta, OH/Weirton, WV

Its the Glowplugs...they can stay on for up to 2 minutes after the truck is started depending on how cold it is out. This keeps the engine from smoking when its cold. The draw that they take is a hefty one somewhere around 80-90 amps thats why the volt gauge stays low until they turn off. Its actually a good indicator of when to drive, its best to wait until the gauge jumps up(GP's turn off) until you drive because too much of a load on a hot GP will damage them. Plus diesels need to warm up anyway or severe engine damage can occure...especially when its very cold out. but between normal temps anything over 60-65 just wait for the GP's to turn off then drive away. below that i wait 5-10 min and extreme cold below freezing 10-15 min or so.
-----------Jeremy

Sep 22, 2007 | 04:25 PM

gtsom6

Thread Starter

Junior User

Joined: Jul 2007

Posts: 56

Likes: 0

From: S.York PA

OK, that's what I was thinking but wanted to make sure. I just had to buy 2 batteries and was thinking maybe there was an issues that killed the batteries.

Sep 23, 2007 | 11:36 AM

tjbeggs

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2004

Posts: 12,835

Likes: 3

From: Silver Lake Dunes, MI

The Alternator is PCM controlled and will not charge for the first 40 seconds after start up. After that its also the glow plugs. but The alt doesn't charge for the first 40 seconds