Cars & Trucks Logo
E
Eugene Daley Posted on Dec 01, 2014
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

The voltage needle is bouncing. The batteries have been checked. The alternator has been checked. They are all good, any ideas? Thanks for any help.

Has new alternator, serpentine belt, idler pulley, battery cables have been cleaned. Started truck, disconnected batteries and truck continued running. The tension arm is bouncing a little and the idle of the motor reflects the bounce.

1 Answer

Brad Brown

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Chevrolet Master 19,187 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 01, 2014
Brad Brown
Chevrolet Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Nov 14, 2008
Answers
19187
Questions
0
Helped
4345864
Points
82261

This could be from current sensing from the voltage regulator. Get another meter and hook it up and see if it bounces. If it does, there is nothing to worry about. If it does not, the dash gage panel needs to be reworked.

5 Related Answers

Anonymous

  • 337 Answers
  • Posted on Dec 15, 2008

SOURCE: insalation of serpentine belt 98 chevy cavelier

http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c1528003cb79

http://www.autozone.com/shopping/repairGuide.htm?pageId=0900c1528003ca13


Here are instructions and routings for belts hope this helps.

Ad

Anonymous

  • 18 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 19, 2009

SOURCE: flashing dash lights and gauges

Your Body Control Module could be going bad.

Anonymous

  • 4 Answers
  • Posted on May 16, 2009

SOURCE: 2008 Chevrolet Aveo5-Serpentine belt change

Stick a 1/2 inch ratchet or breaker bar into the square slot in the arm and turn.

Anonymous

  • 957 Answers
  • Posted on May 31, 2009

SOURCE: severe whistling noise at idle,acceleration.

Have the codes read to see if they are related. Make sure the belt is the correct length. Inspect the pulleys and bearings for failure, also you can look at the entire system an see if there is an alignment issue.

Anonymous

  • 1776 Answers
  • Posted on Aug 28, 2009

SOURCE: 2003 Chevy Suburban, Alternator failed,

I would look for a short in the output wiring at the alternator. My nephew had an intermittent charging problem and I took the car to an autoparts store and had them check the alternator output. Most parts stores will do the check for free. Anyway, while it was hooked up and the output was being checked, I fiddled with some of the wires at the alternator to see if it had any effect. It did. I noticed that as I moved the wires around, the output changed. I was able to isolate the problem to a wire that ran inside the plug. I resoldered the wire and that fixed the problem. I'm not saying that your problem is the same, but I would definitely look at a wiring short somewhere. I sympathize, since there is nothing more aggravating than finding the source of some electrical issues. Anyway, I hope this helped and that you find a resolution to your problem. Best wishes.

Ad

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

Have to jump it off alot, battery good,replaced alternator 1 month ago, now doing it again. tested at auto zone, said starter bad. tested at toyota, said starter working fine. Any suggestions?

Steven, Check for loose/slipping belt (tensioner) may not be working as it should, look for loose connections on battery and alternator.
If you had a digital volt meter, it could help diagnose problem much easier, lets say your car fails to crank, with headlights on, you can put the meter on the battery terminals and battery voltage is around 11.7V and bounce back to 12.2V or higher when lights are off, that would some what tell you the starter is defective and battery OK.
With car running the voltage should show approx, 14.0 V. or more which tells you the alternator is working OK.
If battery is checked when car is not running and falls below 12 volts the battery is weak and bound to fail. Ideally a good battery is 12.4 to 12.6 V. See links below for more helpful info. and test methods.
Charging System test multimeter
How To Check Charging System EricTheCarGuy
How to Test Car Battery with Multimeter


0helpful
1answer

2000 gmc voltage gauge bounceing around

bad or loose connections including battery terminals
faulty voltage regulator
0helpful
1answer

Needles on my Gauges are absolutely crazy! 1996 Pontiac Grand Am SE V6

1= this happen because th IVR fail, see the diagram and test it use the DVOM OR VOM for test the IC .l
2= test the thermistor or sensor for defective.
3= if the voltage of IVR is out of regulation in this case +12vdc,test for ground.if is o.k test by the side of battery side of the IVR, if this voltage is present replace the IVR, if regulated voltage is withing specifications, test the printed circuite from the IVR to the gaues, and if there are open circuite replace the circuit board. OF course test the fuse too.
God bless you

7_14_2012_6_13_12_pm.jpg7_14_2012_6_13_55_pm.jpeg
0helpful
1answer

1993 Dodge Spirit V6 Short?

Sounds like an alternator problem. Check belt to make sure it's tight, then have alternator tested.
2helpful
2answers

Charging gauge bouncing back and forth starts after jump

sounds like a shorted field in the alternator
0helpful
2answers

When accelerating alternator light comes on.

check the engine ground wire (grounds from the engine to the body.) I had this problem on a ford ranger.
2helpful
1answer

Headlights/ dash lights flashing

It sounds like a faulty voltage regulator, faulty alternator, or a bad ground. Try checking the voltage output with a voltmeter, preferably an analog (needle) type. If the needle is "bouncing" then the output of the alternator is not "steady". This voltage variation, if severe enough, could cause your electronic meters (such as your speedometer) to perform erratically.

Also, if you have performed any aftermarket modifications to the electrical system (such as high power stereo installs, etc), temporarily disconnect these and see if the problem resolves. A stock alternator for this car only puts out around 70-80 amps. It doesn't leave much of a margin for additional current draw from high power add-ons.
0helpful
3answers

Electrical Issues

do you have amp and subs?????
Not finding what you are looking for?

2,804 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Chevrolet Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

john h

Level 3 Expert

29494 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

Are you a Chevrolet Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...