What should the battery gauge read when the engine is not running?

A fully charged battery should read about 12.5 volts when the key is in the ignition and turned partially, but the car’s engine is not running. Step 2 Look at the voltmeter while the engine is running. Readings of 14 to 14.5 volts on the gauge when as a good sign.

Why does the battery gauge go back to 12 volts?

When your gauge read ~12volts and a new battery it went back to 15 volts, the old battery was overloading the alternator with an internal short. At one time I had a battery short bring it down to 9 volts and the computer went nuts. The engine back fired I just made it to a battery shop.

What should battery voltage be on GM Truck?

It appears the needle fluctuates between 12 and 15 or volts. The battery gauges on most vehicles I have owned stays around 13 to 14 volts and doesn’t move much unless something that consumes a lot of power is turned on. Mine does this with nothing additional running on the truck other than the radio and a/c.

What does the charge indicator light mean on a car?

Indicator Light On Usually, the first sign that your charging system is in trouble is a “battery,” “ALT,” or “CHARGE” warning light illuminating on your instrument panel while driving. It means that the alternator voltage output is below 12 volts, or over its limit or has stopped charging the battery and your car is running on battery power.

Why does the battery Guage drop to zero?

Once it drop it stays there until the truck is shut off and restarted. There’s a code P1682 battery charging voltage low. I’m assuming it’s either a bad connection on a problem in the PCM. Disconnected and re-connected the plugs on the PCM.

Why does my car gauge move up and down when I start the car?

I don’t think that the battery was on the way out. On the other hand, when this happened in the 2000 Ford Windstar I once owned, this was an indication of a battery problem. Actually on most newer cars you can make this happen by holding down the button that resets the trip counter when turning on the ignition.

Why are the gauges on my Dodge Ram not working?

The interior lights come on the radio comes on but the gauges themselves do not work. I hate to say it but it your ECM might be bad. Check your fuses, relays, and wiring. If none of those work, hook up a diagnostic and see if there’s any codes that you can see to fix it before my assumption. 8 people found this helpful.

How can I tell if my car battery is fully charged?

Cars operate on a 12-volt electrical system. A fully charged battery should read about 12.5 volts when the key is in the ignition and turned partially, but the car’s engine is not running. 2. Look at the voltmeter while the engine is running. Readings of 14 to 14.5 volts on the gauge when as a good sign.

Where is the battery gauge on a car?

Find the ammeter on the dashboard. The ammeter gauge should read a little greater than zero when the engine is on and the system is functioning properly. This means that the battery is fully charged and the charging system is providing the current.

Why does the dash gauge switch from battery to alternator?

OK now that is starting to make sense. If the dash gauge switches over from reading battery voltage to alternator voltage after the engine starts, and there’s a diode between the alt. output and the battery, it would explain a lot. I will take readings at the alternator and let you know what I find.

What does the ammeter read on a car battery?

The ammeter gauge should read a little greater than zero when the engine is on and the system is functioning properly. This means that the battery is fully charged and the charging system is providing the current. A negative reading (below zero) means the battery is providing current, and unless the problem is corrected, the battery will go dead.

What should I do if MY Volt gauge is too low?

After a jump start (which you should never need or do) you MUST put that battery on a charger for 12 – 24 hours. A battery that has gone dead twice for any reason is no good. Replace it with the right one, not one you think will work. 700 CCA is too low.

How can I tell if my car battery is still running?

Look at the voltmeter while the engine is running. Readings of 14 to 14.5 volts on the gauge when as a good sign. This is typical of a properly operating charging system.

What does a negative battery reading mean on a car?

This means that the battery is fully charged and the charging system is providing the current. A negative reading (below zero) means the battery is providing current, and unless the problem is corrected, the battery will go dead.

What should the voltage be on a car battery?

Look at the voltmeter while the engine is running. Readings of 14 to 14.5 volts on the gauge when as a good sign. This is typical of a properly operating charging system. If the voltage reading drops below 12.5 volts, the charging system is not operating properly, and the battery is having to provide current, meaning it will eventually go dead.

Can you use an amp gauge on an alternator?

Amp Gauge Wiring 1) Always disconnect the ground lead from the vehicle battery before wiring any gauge. 2) Classic Instruments’ Amp gauge should only be used on vehicles with alternators rated at 60 Amps or less. Using an alternator with higher output capacity is dangerous and could cause a fire.

How can I tell if my alternator is charging the battery?

Use your multimeter (if you don’t have one get one). Turn it to dc volts put your leads on your battery (with the car running), if your alternator is charging it should read from 13.5V-14.5V (thats a good charge). If your not getting a reading from there you can check your output from your alternator.

Why does my voltage guage only show 9-10 volts?

My voltage guage usually points near the red mark at 9-10 volts. Batteries cranks the starter quickly and it does not seem to lack any electric power. Some times driving, it will raise to about 12 V, but never above, and the next minut point at 9 again.

What does a negative battery reading on the ammeter mean?

A negative reading (below zero) means the battery is providing current, and unless the problem is corrected, the battery will go dead. The ammeter may show an abnormally high reading briefly after starting the engine and the lights and other devices are being powered. It should return to normal quickly.