E32 Volt gauge goes up to 17 (when running the engine)
- Thread starter Thalassa
- Start date
From the partial view of the panel, it looks like you have a Universal diesel.
Can you tell us which model and if it has the factory internal-regulated 50 amp alternator?
Can you tell us which model and if it has the factory internal-regulated 50 amp alternator?
paul culver
Member III
Yep, what Loren said. Maybe a voltage regulator problem. Make sure its not a meter problem. What does it read with ignition switch on before starting the engine?
Volt gauge bad? Put multimeter on its terminals. The gauges do wear our, and they're easy to change.
You're showing two separate things. The title says the volts go to 17 when the engine is running, as opposed to a photo showing <8 vdc.
The voltage should never be less than the charge on the selected battery, so it sounds like you may have a dead battery that the alternator is trying to charge. If the alternator/regulator are not already failing, trying to charge a failed battery can do damage to the alt/reg before long so I'd suggest:
First use a hydrometer (preferably) or your multimeter on each battery with everything off. The benefit of an inexpensive hydrometer is that it can isolate whether there is a dead or weak cell. The multimeter indication is at battery level.
If you've not already found the voltmeter is bad, then they will probably need a charge even if not needing replacement because of your voltmeter photo. If a battery cell or charge was found to be low, take it (them) to a car parts store for a load check to verify the capability (health) of each battery.
Now that the heart of the system is known good, re-install and start the motor then see what the multimeter shows for the voltage across each battery while charging. Anything at this point is in the alt/reg, or wiring.
The voltage should never be less than the charge on the selected battery, so it sounds like you may have a dead battery that the alternator is trying to charge. If the alternator/regulator are not already failing, trying to charge a failed battery can do damage to the alt/reg before long so I'd suggest:
First use a hydrometer (preferably) or your multimeter on each battery with everything off. The benefit of an inexpensive hydrometer is that it can isolate whether there is a dead or weak cell. The multimeter indication is at battery level.
If you've not already found the voltmeter is bad, then they will probably need a charge even if not needing replacement because of your voltmeter photo. If a battery cell or charge was found to be low, take it (them) to a car parts store for a load check to verify the capability (health) of each battery.
Now that the heart of the system is known good, re-install and start the motor then see what the multimeter shows for the voltage across each battery while charging. Anything at this point is in the alt/reg, or wiring.