So ever since I bought my truck over a year and a half ago I've had this issue:

when I start the truck it takes about 30 - 40 seconds for the alt meter to climb up to where it should be - charging. If I turn on the wipers or lights on before the meter climbs, the wipers are slow or the lights are dim.

It's done this since new... anyone else have this issue? Any thoughts of what it might be?

 

My Ram doesn't do it, but my 07 Grand Caravan has done it since new in Feb 08. I usually wait for the odometer to brighten up before turning on anything else, except for the daytime driving lights. It may ne an PCM thing. I thought that I read somewhere that the PCM regulates the voltage regulator, but I could be wrong.

 

yeah, it's really strange... doesn't really bother me, but just wanted to know if anyone knew what was up... or, if it would have any other effects, like having to replace any electrical parts down the road.

 

No side effects that I have noticed on the va. But it's almost 2 years old and only has about 7800 miles on it.
If you are still under the 3yr/36k bumper to bumper, you could have the dealer check it.

 

mine's got 28k miles on it... i might take it in and have it checked out.