Hey all, I've noticed with this cold that my truck starts harder, which is to be expected. However, my volt gauge is reading pretty high, a lot higher than normal. Is that OK? I'm wondering if my battery is going bad, which is causing the alternator to work harder, which is pushing the needle higher.

What is y'alls normal reading? Mine is about 3/4 of the way to the right. It used to sit just right of the 1/2 way mark.

Any thoughts?

 

If your needle is not "out of the zone" I wouldn't worry about it.

 

I'm gonna stop by the auto store on the way home from work today and have them test the battery. The truck is only 3 years old, I thought they came with 60 month batteries...but that doesn't always mean it will last that long.

Thanks

 

the battery voltage drops in cold weather..your truck sees the low voltage and tries to charge it more.. thats all

 

My still stays just past 1/2 way even when it was -2* this morning. You can check the actual voltage with a volt/ohm meter at the battery while running. It should be no more than about 14.5V.

 

I also noticed my battery meter has been past the half way mark in the colder weather. but my truck is almost 5 years old, i think its time for a new battery myself?

 

Had the auto store check it. They have a pretty comprehensive doo-dad now...takes an unloaded reading, a reading when you start, then a running read to measure your CCA as well as voltage. Also does a diode check to make sure you don't have a bad battery terminal. Mine tested fine....just this freakin' cold weather!

 

+1 on cold weather, mine has been higher lately also. Battery is only 6 months old.

 

Mine is reading very high also but I'm getting the battery light flashing and when I started it this morning the truck was idling really irratic so I tried to just give it a little gas and see if it smoothed out but it would only go to 2000 rpm even if I floored it. anybody know what this could be

 

Yours is overcharging and going to fry the PCM if you don't get it fixed!!