Voltage drop only with turn signals on?!

[wErd 5,000+ posts]

How accurate are these GM volt meters on the dash? I noticed today that the needle sways from ~13-14.5 volts but only with my blinkers on. I can run my amp full tilt with my brights on and the needle stays a constant 14. But as soon as I turn the blinkers on, even amp off the needle goes nuts. I have a red top optima, big three in 1/0, and 1/0 run to amp. Anyone else think its kind of weird?

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[SplAffair 10+ year member]

How accurate are these GM volt meters on the dash? I noticed today that the needle sways from ~13-14.5 volts but only with my blinkers on. I can run my amp full tilt with my brights on and the needle stays a constant 14. But as soon as I turn the blinkers on, even amp off the needle goes nuts. I have a red top optima, big three in 1/0, and 1/0 run to amp. Anyone else think its kind of weird?

they all did that my 3 s10s did it ranging 97-01.

 

[wErd 5,000+ posts]

they all did that my 3 s10s did it ranging 97-01.

Yea Im in a 01 blazer. Either just started today or just noticed today. Is it actual voltage drop, or gauge malfunctioning?

 

[SplAffair 10+ year member]

Yea Im in a 01 blazer. Either just started today or just noticed today. Is it actual voltage drop, or gauge malfunctioning?

Id say gauge malfunction... i mean turn signals cant pull THAT much power lol. if your that worried about it get a volt meter.

i never had any problems out of the electrical/charging systems

now that i think of it my 91 full size silverado did it too

 

[Sub Woofin 10+ year member]

maybe alternator is failing?

 

[SplAffair 10+ year member]

maybe alternator is failing?

doubtful..... its ****** gm engineering on the clusters.

search the s10 forums. they are extremely helpful.

 

[Kangaroux 5,000+ posts]

Sounds like there is a short somewhere

 

[BrownVanMan 10+ year member]

my 99 suburban does the same (no mods though) and my 87 toyota pickup is the same( no mods) the pickup has a 60a alt and i running 300 watts and at full tilt on idle the needle moves a cunthair(not much) but the turn signals make it go nuts.

 

[RangerDangerV2 5,000+ posts]

maybe its because you are turning... turning uses up some juice.

 

[07denali 10+ year member]

I think that's common. I have a Denali and my stock volt meter is all over the place. I don't think its all that accurate. Odd thing is it will drop down to around 12v when I'm cruising around 70 mph. You would think the volts would be highest at that speed. Buy an aftermarket meter if you're concerned.