Should my voltmeter always run like this?

[wreedps]

Hey guys? I have a new battery and my gauges were just rebuilt.

When I start up for the first 10 minutes or so my volt meter runs straight up and down at 14v but then it falls back to how it looks in the below pictures.

Is this normal?

Truck run great, I am just wondering

 

[Rivieraracing]

Does the voltmeter stay that low while driving?

 

[wreedps]

Yes always.

 

[wreedps]

Now I am running way over 14 today, but most of the time it looks like the pic

 

[OHSIXX]

Have alt tested to make sure it is putting out correct voltage. Could be bad stepper motor for that gauge. To my knowledge you should usually see right around 14.4 while the vehicle is running.

 

[wreedps]

Stepper motors are brand new. Ill test with a voltmeter shortly.

 

[Rivieraracing]

Yeah, check voltage at battery with a voltmeter while the truck is running and see how accurate the dash volt gauge is!

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

if the guage is reading accurate id start checking all your battery terminals and such make sure there all tight you mite be getting high resistance some where

 

[Chevy305]

My 2000 Tahoe has started running just like yours, with running a hair below 14 volts on the gauge. According to my scanner, it says its putting out about 12.9-13.2 volts. That's definitely lower than it should be. I checked and cleaned all the battery and alternator connections and grounds. Then it jumped back to 13.5 volts on initial start up but dropped back to 13 after a few minutes of running. I had Advance Auto do an in car test and it came out perfectly fine. He agrees that the voltage is lower than it should be. We were thinking that the alternator might be on its way out but not bad enough to show on the tester.

 

[wreedps]

Hi there.

I have a brand new ACDelco alternator and how it doesn't sit that low all the time anymore, It still does. Most of the time when I look at it, it is running at 14V straight up and down now after the new alternator, but I have noticed it still falls down sometimes like the picture I first posted. I have noticed after the truck has been running for a hour or so it drops down, almost like the battery is charged and the alternator is lowering its power output. Maybe???

I have chalked this up to if its not broke dont fix it.

I dont have any issues with power, etc. so I am leaving it alone for now.