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Voltmeter question

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Old 10-13-2010, 06:03 PM
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Default Voltmeter question

My voltmeter shuts on and off about every 30 seconds and the lights dim during the needle sweep. No other issues happen during the sweep, truck runs fine and the radio keeps playing. No hiccups other than gauge and lights. Any suggestions?
Old 10-13-2010, 06:19 PM
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get your alternator tested. i know theres another thread about a similar issue but i dont really recall what the solution was. i'd start with testing the charging system though
Old 10-13-2010, 06:48 PM
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Check the alternator plugs too. Mine has melted several times.
Old 10-13-2010, 09:26 PM
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The ground above the battery was loose, didn't fix the problem. The alternator plugs seem to be good. The fade/glitch/short is on a cycle, I tried to count evenly and every 24 counts the lights would fade. So what would cycle like this? Any ideas?
Old 10-13-2010, 11:01 PM
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Is the A/C compressor kicking on every 24 seconds?
Old 10-13-2010, 11:05 PM
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Sounds like your voltage regulator is acting up. Depending on what year you have some are external and some are built into the alternator. Take it to autozone and have the charging system checked out. Or you can do a voltage check at the field terminal on the alternator or regulator with a voltmeter.
Old 10-14-2010, 06:54 PM
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Autozone checked the charging system and no problem. At idle, during the draw the idle does drop. I will try the AC tomorrow and a voltage check on the alt/reg this weekend. Could a fuel pump cause an issue like this?
Old 10-14-2010, 09:01 PM
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BINGO, we have a winner. Aliens8myCow wins the grand prize. Unplugged the AC and the cycle has stopped. It looks like it's time for a new thread.
Old 10-14-2010, 09:38 PM
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Yay!!!

Wanna know how I knew that? Mine does the same damned thing...

Wanna know how to fix it? So do I!



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