voltage drops?
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 47
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From: indianapolis
voltage drops?
alright i've got a 95' psd with over 300,000 on it. there will be times when i get in it and fire her up and the voltage will read over 12v, and there will be times where it'll only read 8 or 9 volts coming from the alt. night time when i click the lights on they are dim until i drive and bring RPMs up when it'll read proper charge and the lights will all be bright. is this normal for these trucks, or am i looking at an altinator sometime soon?
edit: there is a new belt and the tensioner is in perfect working order
edit: there is a new belt and the tensioner is in perfect working order
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 921
Likes: 1
From: Denver CO
This is normal When you go to start it the wts light come on and the gp come on and the can stay on for up to 2 minutes after you start it to help it stay running. After they shut off is when your voltage jumps back up. Nothing to worry about unless it stay s down for more than say 5- 10 min after starting.
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 435
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From: troy, Mo
sorry oversize but I believe you are incorrect. when you first start the truck the volts will be a bit low around 12 but no lower not the 8-9 you are talking about. With in a minute you should be up to 13-14 volt otherwise you are gonna be putting on a new alternator soon. Ask me how I know. I have a volt meter on my truck so I know when the alternator is gonna puke before it does.
Laughing Gas
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 921
Likes: 1
From: Denver CO
I understand what your saying but, Im assuming based on what he said hes using the factory voltage gauge which wont give an accurate reading as we all know the factory gauges are often open to interpretation, besides as he stated when he revs it up and then all at once the lights get brighter and stay that would lead me to beleive this is being started at night when its cold out. plus he said its his firt diesel so if hes not familiar with the gp operation this would be the most logical assumption based on the information given. If Im wrong I appologize but from what I read this is the most accurate assessment I can make.
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Freshman User
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 47
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From: indianapolis
I understand what your saying but, Im assuming based on what he said hes using the factory voltage gauge which wont give an accurate reading as we all know the factory gauges are often open to interpretation, besides as he stated when he revs it up and then all at once the lights get brighter and stay that would lead me to beleive this is being started at night when its cold out. plus he said its his firt diesel so if hes not familiar with the gp operation this would be the most logical assumption based on the information given. If Im wrong I appologize but from what I read this is the most accurate assessment I can make.
you are correct. i do have a DVOM but no way to take readings from the front of the truck while also driving/loading the engine to watch the voltage increase. also i realized tonight after taking a hard turn (zoned out and didnt expect it as fast haha) that the gauge faces arent secured and move a little bit, so the voltage i gave to begin with was probably ascew. thanks for everyones input though.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2006
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From: troy, Mo
I understand what your saying but, Im assuming based on what he said hes using the factory voltage gauge which wont give an accurate reading as we all know the factory gauges are often open to interpretation, besides as he stated when he revs it up and then all at once the lights get brighter and stay that would lead me to beleive this is being started at night when its cold out. plus he said its his firt diesel so if hes not familiar with the gp operation this would be the most logical assumption based on the information given. If Im wrong I appologize but from what I read this is the most accurate assessment I can make.
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