Voltage problem help

[glenn9812]

The volts in a friends truck reads 14v on the dash but when a volt meter is hooked up it only reads 9-10v when the truck is on. Any ideas? It's a 2000 Chevy Silverado. No hte big 3 hasn't been done but would it make that big of a difference?

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[SPL140.2 5,000+ posts]

what kind of voltmeter is it?? Id suggest getting a true rms meter and test it, it could be the trucks voltmeter that isnt working properly

 

[glenn9812]

A radio shack meter. I also had a audiopile distro block meter and it said 9v. Can it be that low? The truck runs fine.

 

[spin dB 10+ year member]

I would have to say there is a discrepancy in the truck's gauge. I would also suggest testing it with a true RMS voltage meter, this will give you exactly what the voltage is. What accessories do you have running off the truck's electrical system? If you have multiple amps and you have a stock alternator and a stock battery and no big 3 then it is possible that your voltage is dipping that low, is there any dimming of the lights?, if not I would have to say the readout that you are getting is false.

 

[fwb_1234 10+ year member]

I agree. That's extremely low, much lower than the battery's voltage.

Where are you getting the reading from?

 

[blackbonnie 5,000+ posts]

if its that low, you really need to check it out. being that low i dont see how you would even be able to run any accesories off the truck.

 

[PhatTonyDeMarco 5,000+ posts]

If it was that low, he would not even be able to crank over the starter... Where are you reading that number?

 

[glenn9812]

reading that # at the disto block. He does have 2 amps hooked up. Been having work all weekend and will be off tuesday and wed to figure this out