Help with CHECK GAUGES light flickering and battery voltage? Flickering???
#1
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Location: Tacoma, WA
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Help with CHECK GAUGES light flickering and battery voltage? Flickering???
So, just recently I noticed that my CHECK GAUGES light flickers off and on at right about 1400-1500 rpms when I'm driving. At the same time I notice my battery voltage needle start to move towards the red, but not all the way, just acting like it wants to right when I hover around that certain rpm. I also notice it does it sometimes when I'm giving it a lot of gas only sometimes at certain rpms.
What the hell would cause this? It doesn't seems to run any different when it's happening, it's just weird. Could it be a loose ground or something and why would it only do it at 1400 rpms???? I'm totally lost on this one. Lol. Thanks for the help.
What the hell would cause this? It doesn't seems to run any different when it's happening, it's just weird. Could it be a loose ground or something and why would it only do it at 1400 rpms???? I'm totally lost on this one. Lol. Thanks for the help.
#4
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (9)
Besides having the alternator tested, check all of the connections to the battery and grounds.
What COULD be happening (although it's a stretch) is at ~1400 RPM your drivetrain is radiating a "resonant frequency". Every object vibrates at a certain resonant frequency. If something is loose, 1400 RPM is making it vibrate and cause an intermittent connection.
What COULD be happening (although it's a stretch) is at ~1400 RPM your drivetrain is radiating a "resonant frequency". Every object vibrates at a certain resonant frequency. If something is loose, 1400 RPM is making it vibrate and cause an intermittent connection.
#5
Village Troll
iTrader: (2)
You can test it yourself w/out taking the alt. off. Take a volt meter to it. It should read a steady 14.5v. If it reads any lower then it's most likely bad. I've read where alt. testing at auto parts stores isn't always accurate. You also may have a slipping belt and/or worn out belt tensioner. Do you have an underdrive pulley?
Actually before doing any testing make sure the belt/belt tension is good.
Actually before doing any testing make sure the belt/belt tension is good.
#6
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (9)
^^ I've never taken an alternator in to test, strictly for the reason SS RRR stated. Taking of the alt. just to get tested sucks. With a standard multimeter, read the voltage with the car running for at least 5-10 minutes, and have someone else in the car to do whatever you need to replicate the symptom. Alternator needs to read ~14.0 Volts or better, 14.5 seems a bit high.