I noticed that the voltage displayed on my Insight is down to between 13.2 and 13.4 volts. It had been about 13.4-13.6.
Both batteries are about 18 months old.
I’m about 1200 miles for home so the question is: Should I be worried enough to bring it to a dealer here (still have 5year/100,000 coverage) or wait till I get home. I would hate to tie the truck up while on vacation but hate even more to get stuck on the road with a bad alternator. Not to mention if the alternator goes and takes the FICM with it.
Jakýkoliv pohled by ocenili.
06-21-2010, 08:25 PM
Datum připojení: prosinec 2003
Location: Stuttgart, Ar
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You’re OK. If you’re worried stop by the local parts store and have them individually load tested. Batteries are covered by their own warranty independant of the 5/100.
npccpartsman
06-21-2010, 08:32 PM
Příspěvek Fiend
Založen: Oct 2009
Location: N. Fort Worth, tx
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the alternator is only a 3/36 part. sorry.
dávejte na to pozor.
as long as you can stay above 13v (still low) I would cruise. I would get it look at when I got home.
06-21-2010, 08:36 PM
Datum připojení: prosinec 2003
Location: Stuttgart, Ar
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Původně odeslal cheezit
the alternator is only a 3/36 part. sorry.
dávejte na to pozor.
I totally spaced that one. That overfuel thing is bad on my brain today.
Geez Tim batteries, duh.
npccpartsman
06-21-2010, 09:03 PM
Cross-Country
spouštěč nití
Založen: Oct 2004
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Thanks guys! I’ll keep an eye on it.
If it goes below 13v I guess I’ll literally be a shade tree mechanic.
Cheezit- Thanks for the heads up on the 3/36 thing
06-21-2010, 09:12 PM
Příspěvek Fiend
Založen: Oct 2009
Location: N. Fort Worth, tx
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ya I figured it would suck to find that out the hardway.
06-21-2010, 10:26 PM
Mistr nákladu
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If you do have to replace the altenator it is 30mins or less. It is really easy once you have done it once. The serpentine belt has a «kickstand» to keep the pullie tentioned. Then its like 4 bolts.
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Lubbockguy1979
06-26-2010, 11:57 PM
Senior uživatel
Datum připojení: květen 2009
Místo: Colorado Springs Colorado
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What is considered normal system voltage?
06-26-2010, 11:59 PM
Příspěvek Fiend
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Původně odeslal FordMan35
What is considered normal system voltage?
13.8-14.2 is great. I would be nervious at 13.5 as to what is going on.
06-27-2010, 12:04 AM
Senior uživatel
Datum připojení: květen 2009
Místo: Colorado Springs Colorado
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Původně odeslal cheezit
13.8-14.2 is great. I would be nervious at 13.5 as to what is going on.
Not much that I know of. I havent relly paid much attention to the voltage on my Insight. I think it is around 13.4V What is the primary cause of this going down? Alt, Batteries or some other cause?
06-27-2010, 12:22 AM
Příspěvek Fiend
Založen: Oct 2009
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could be batteries, alternator or poor connections at battery, alternator, or alternator field.
06-27-2010, 12:29 AM
Senior uživatel
Datum připojení: květen 2009
Místo: Colorado Springs Colorado
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Cheezit,
what are some ways you can check the alternator? I have a loadtester for the batteries.
06-27-2010, 10:41 AM
Junior Uživatel
Připojit Datum: listopad 2005
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I would verify voltage at the batteries with a good volt meter. When I hooked up my gyphon for the first time it only read 13.2vdc while the engine was running at idle. I checked with my fluke meter and got 13.9vdc with the headlights on and a/c running full. I also checked the current going to each battery from the alternator and got 60 and 70 amps on either side. That lead me to belive that the alternator was charging just fine.
Hydrocarbon302
06-27-2010, 10:54 PM
Cross-Country
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Založen: Oct 2004
Obdržel 3 To se mi líbí u 2 příspěvků
Just a bit of an update.
Made it home without any issues.
Tested batteries with a hydrometer and also separately for «at rest»
voltage =12.6v. (I don’t have, and need to get a load tester.)
Cleaned battery posts and terminals, both ground «straps» (negative battery cable) terminations at engine block under ac compressor and driver side frame rail, and positive side terminations at starter, alternator, and the #2 wire at the positive battery terminals.
Started engine: 13.98 volts at idle at batteries
13.89 volts at idle with headlights and Ac on
Insight reads 13.5 to 13.7 volts.
Forgot to check for AC voltage at battery (test for a leaky diode) but it seems that all is well for now.
Hey guys, I am new here and not well educated in mechanics but wondering if any of your trucks fluctuate voltage when driving? I noticed my truck was running around 13.2 and the needle was bouncing from 1/2 to the bar below that. I pulled up the voltage reading on the instrument cluster and it bounces anywhere from 13.2 — 13.7. I have read it should be above 13.8 and holding steady. I thought this might be a battery issue so I replaced the battery yesterday, saw my voltage around 14.1 for a few miles and now back to bouncing from 13.2 to 13.7 when driving/idling. Could something be wrong with my alternator or is this normal?
kjang970
Člen
Připojeno 1. března 2021 Zprávy 11 Skóre reakce 7
I had the same issue. Replaced my battery with AGM and the problem didn’t go away. Mine would drop down to 12.6 after an hour drive. The dealer “tightened” the negative terminal or the battery sensor which seemed to fix the problem for now. They ordered a new battery sensor for install next week. The mechanic said battery and alternator/etorque system was in good shape.
FLiPMaRC
Ram Guru
Joined Jun 13, 2021 Messages 630 Reaction score 563 Location NJ
Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But the voltage meter reads the alternator voltage, not the battery.
HandyCruiser
Známý člen
Připojeno 28. června 2021 Zprávy 258 Skóre reakce 305
If I’m reading this right, it all sounds perfectly normal to me. I would expect that with the engine running, the voltage across the system (and across the connected batter) should be around 13.2 to 13.7 volts. With the engine off, it should be around 12.2 to 12.7 volts.
bigdodge
Šťastný majitel Ram
Připojen 25. srpna 2021 Zprávy 4,001 2,533 Hodnocení reakce XNUMX XNUMX Umístění jihozápad. kde vládne většina
Hey guys, I am new here and not well educated in mechanics but wondering if any of your trucks fluctuate voltage when driving? I noticed my truck was running around 13.2 and the needle was bouncing from 1/2 to the bar below that. I pulled up the voltage reading on the instrument cluster and it bounces anywhere from 13.2 — 13.7. I have read it should be above 13.8 and holding steady. I thought this might be a battery issue so I replaced the battery yesterday, saw my voltage around 14.1 for a few miles and now back to bouncing from 13.2 to 13.7 when driving/idling. Could something be wrong with my alternator or is this normal?
do you have the etorque?
rcadams27
Nový člen
Připojeno 30. září 2021 Zprávy 4 Skóre reakce 1
do you have the etorque?
I have the bighorn standard 5.7
djevox
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Someone correct me if I’m wrong. But the voltage meter reads the alternator voltage, not the battery.
It’s one in the same. Even if you stick a dvom on the battery while the alternator is charging, it will match the output of the alternator.
djevox
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If I’m reading this right, it all sounds perfectly normal to me. I would expect that with the engine running, the voltage across the system (and across the connected batter) should be around 13.2 to 13.7 volts. With the engine off, it should be around 12.2 to 12.7 volts.
Charging voltage is 13.6-15.6, and standing voltage depends on battery type (agm, flooded lead/acid, etc). However, newer alternators can cycle their charging, so you may not always see 13.6+ if connecting a dvom if the battery doesn’t need to be charged. I haven’t looked at RAM 1500 theory and operation of the charging system, so I don’t know how our alternators function.
Snekpete
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Etorques do not have an alternator. 13.7 to 13.2 is perfectly normal.
E.Hands
Aktivní člen
Joined Jul 26, 2019 Messages 159 Reaction score 112 Location Youngsville, Louisiana, USA!
13.2 to 13.7 volts is normal. If you can load the system up with all your lights, AC blower on high and windshield wipers going and still maintain 13.2 volts at idle then you are experiencing normal vehicle function. Enjoy you 5th Gen!
E.Hands
Aktivní člen
Joined Jul 26, 2019 Messages 159 Reaction score 112 Location Youngsville, Louisiana, USA!
Charging voltage is 13.6-15.6, and standing voltage depends on battery type (agm, flooded lead/acid, etc). However, newer alternators can cycle their charging, so you may not always see 13.6+ if connecting a dvom if the battery doesn’t need to be charged. I haven’t looked at RAM 1500 theory and operation of the charging system, so I don’t know how our alternators function.
Anything over 14.4 would be cause for attention in my opinion. AGM batteries shouldn’t see over 14.7 volts IMO.
Horská whisky
Tráví tu příliš mnoho času
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Anyone think that the gages are not perfect? I mean, they are really just cheap production automotive gauges. Probably one step away from an idiot light. They just might be off. I tend to read mine for consistency. If one reads way different than it has been this whole time, it might be a red flag.
djevox
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Anything over 14.4 would be cause for attention in my opinion. AGM batteries shouldn’t see over 14.7 volts IMO.
I’m stating the acceptable range of charging for 12v automotive systems, so it is what it is.
rcadams27
Nový člen
Připojeno 30. září 2021 Zprávy 4 Skóre reakce 1
Awesome, thanks for the replies, I feel a lot better about it now. I guess I just never noticed the voltage gauge on the instrument cluster bouncing around so when I noticed it I got a little worried. Just hit 35k today on the 2019, love the truck. Pulls the hell out of my 5000 LB travel trailer. Added an extended warranty today for another 125k miles just to be on the safe side since I do tow the trailer year round. Hoping to hit 200k some day!
HandyCruiser
Známý člen
Připojeno 28. června 2021 Zprávy 258 Skóre reakce 305
Awesome, thanks for the replies, I feel a lot better about it now. I guess I just never noticed the voltage gauge on the instrument cluster bouncing around so when I noticed it I got a little worried. Just hit 35k today on the 2019, love the truck. Pulls the hell out of my 5000 LB travel trailer. Added an extended warranty today for another 125k miles just to be on the safe side since I do tow the trailer year round. Hoping to hit 200k some day!
One of the easiest ways to check a vehicle’s voltage during regular operation and then compare it to other vehicles is with one of these. Plus these will charge your phone too. If you are worried about accuracy, simply compare its readout to a calibrated multimeter. And again, what you describe is pretty well the normal range.
sppb32
Známý člen
Připojeno 19. července 2020 Zprávy 244 Skóre reakce 179
With the engine running it should be 14.3 to 14.5 volts, mine is, i have a 80 ah of lithium cells behind the back seat for the sound system, since it rests 1 volt higher than the factory battery (SLD) it gets isolated from the front battery when i shut of the ignition, i don’t know how the battery monitor works but id doesn’t seam to have a problem with all that stuff.
