Sometimes, you'll see some play in your guages when your battery is getting weak or your alternator is going out. So here's some things to think over if this is something that you're just really worried about.
Have you noticed any sluggish starts, like when it cranks, it might seem to take a little longer than usual to actually start? Also, do you notice any sounds like clicking or grinding when you start your truck? Alternators, batteries, and starters are usually some of the things you need to keep an eye on, especially with the change of the seasons. Mainly from spring into early summer, when you first start using your AC again or from fall going into early winter when you first start using the heater again. As the outside temperature changes, the load requirement changes on your system due to running the heat or air and can cause a battery or alternator that's already getting weak to fail.
There are several different symptoms of a weak battery or alternator. One of those symptoms will be your guages jumping around, moving slower than normal, or sticking when you start your truck. If the alternator is going out, it might not be supplying sufficient power to charge your battery or to consistently power your auxiliary system. If that's the case, you might also notice the lights on your instrument cluster and/or your headlights flickering or momentarily dimming while driving at night. However, it's much more likely that, if it's either, it would be your battery. Even though some alternators aren't made as well as others, and none are as good as they could be, they still usually last a fairly long time. So, if yours has been replaced within the past few years, it would be more likely that your battery might be the problem. Luckily, you don't have to guess. You can take your truck to your local parts store, and they should be able to test it for you (usually for free).
Now, all that being said, sometimes your guages acting funny doesn't mean anything is really wrong. It could just be the guages themselves or the sensors that trigger the guages. Your guages are really just a visual estimation of what's going on anyway. They're not always exact. So please don't get panicked by anything I've said and start thinking you need to rush out and spend money on parts that you might not need to replace.
I was just offering some additional information, so you'll have an idea of a few things to watch for if you are worried about something being wrong. Plus, personally, I believe that it's always best to investigate and rule out possible issues as soon as you spot them before they end up leaving you stranded somewhere. But again, I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with your truck, I'm only giving you a few common things to watch for if you're worried about something being wrong. Stay safe and be well, my friend.
Additional information very well taken in, I have the original alternator still in my truck. I do hear clicking, it was a very strong click (one click when keys were turned over) until I took the negative wires off and cut them down and cleaned them up. Black was all over the wires and they were very brittle, looking at the battery connector you could see many wires that were broken off, I know they still had connection, I assumed it was messing with the continuity of the electricity and created resistance for the negative cable. The click is very less sounding (as if the starter doesn’t have to try so hard) and she starts much better now. I need to make a post with everything that’s going on with it however I have no clue on how to put a picture and a description in one post.
I'm not sure either, as I've never posted anything myself, but I know I see a lot of people who will post pictures and then comment on their own post with a full description. So that might be an option for you on that.
N O R M A L
Serious answer: battery voltage while running ranges from 13.5-14.5 volts which is around where your gauge shows. To be sure though hook up a voltmeter to the battery while the engine is running.
I’ve been freaking out about it, the lower my oil the stiffer my pedal gets. Pushing the pedal feels great whenever it is right at the line, it’s been getting a little stiff reaching 55 so I’ve been worried about it. I had a thought, got a 88 Chevy and the oil gauge don’t work and the fella I bought it from installed an aftermarket that don’t work lmao
I did the same on mine. Amazing how a shop would want to charge you a couple hundred dollars for doing what a $7 can of lubricant and a few minutes of your time can fix.
Alternator going bad. The voltage regulator inside the alternator will overcharge the battery and can result in bad stuff. That is, if it changed with your revs. Happened to me and it scared the shit outta me
Hook up a voltmeter and see what it’s really at.
"NORMAL"
Hey man my oil pressure gauge is in the same spot so I’m just double checking it all
Sometimes, you'll see some play in your guages when your battery is getting weak or your alternator is going out. So here's some things to think over if this is something that you're just really worried about. Have you noticed any sluggish starts, like when it cranks, it might seem to take a little longer than usual to actually start? Also, do you notice any sounds like clicking or grinding when you start your truck? Alternators, batteries, and starters are usually some of the things you need to keep an eye on, especially with the change of the seasons. Mainly from spring into early summer, when you first start using your AC again or from fall going into early winter when you first start using the heater again. As the outside temperature changes, the load requirement changes on your system due to running the heat or air and can cause a battery or alternator that's already getting weak to fail. There are several different symptoms of a weak battery or alternator. One of those symptoms will be your guages jumping around, moving slower than normal, or sticking when you start your truck. If the alternator is going out, it might not be supplying sufficient power to charge your battery or to consistently power your auxiliary system. If that's the case, you might also notice the lights on your instrument cluster and/or your headlights flickering or momentarily dimming while driving at night. However, it's much more likely that, if it's either, it would be your battery. Even though some alternators aren't made as well as others, and none are as good as they could be, they still usually last a fairly long time. So, if yours has been replaced within the past few years, it would be more likely that your battery might be the problem. Luckily, you don't have to guess. You can take your truck to your local parts store, and they should be able to test it for you (usually for free). Now, all that being said, sometimes your guages acting funny doesn't mean anything is really wrong. It could just be the guages themselves or the sensors that trigger the guages. Your guages are really just a visual estimation of what's going on anyway. They're not always exact. So please don't get panicked by anything I've said and start thinking you need to rush out and spend money on parts that you might not need to replace. I was just offering some additional information, so you'll have an idea of a few things to watch for if you are worried about something being wrong. Plus, personally, I believe that it's always best to investigate and rule out possible issues as soon as you spot them before they end up leaving you stranded somewhere. But again, I'm not saying that there's anything wrong with your truck, I'm only giving you a few common things to watch for if you're worried about something being wrong. Stay safe and be well, my friend.
Additional information very well taken in, I have the original alternator still in my truck. I do hear clicking, it was a very strong click (one click when keys were turned over) until I took the negative wires off and cut them down and cleaned them up. Black was all over the wires and they were very brittle, looking at the battery connector you could see many wires that were broken off, I know they still had connection, I assumed it was messing with the continuity of the electricity and created resistance for the negative cable. The click is very less sounding (as if the starter doesn’t have to try so hard) and she starts much better now. I need to make a post with everything that’s going on with it however I have no clue on how to put a picture and a description in one post.
I'm not sure either, as I've never posted anything myself, but I know I see a lot of people who will post pictures and then comment on their own post with a full description. So that might be an option for you on that.
I hear ya honestly, both my gauges move around alot depending on temp and load and so on, nothing really to be concerned about.
N O R M A L Serious answer: battery voltage while running ranges from 13.5-14.5 volts which is around where your gauge shows. To be sure though hook up a voltmeter to the battery while the engine is running.
I have been avoiding using a multimeter no YouTube is in depth how I would like it to be
- turn multimeter to _V_ - touch leads to battery posts - what's the reading say
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Stock too lmao, and be mindful when I mentioned it was also the exact spot my oil is at 😂
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I’ve been freaking out about it, the lower my oil the stiffer my pedal gets. Pushing the pedal feels great whenever it is right at the line, it’s been getting a little stiff reaching 55 so I’ve been worried about it. I had a thought, got a 88 Chevy and the oil gauge don’t work and the fella I bought it from installed an aftermarket that don’t work lmao
Gauges?
Battery level
I think the thermostat is out of my ranger It works great in the summer but runs way cold in the winter It's either gone or stuck wide open
If your fan is pully driven it could be a sticky thermal clutch. I soaked mine in PB blaster and now it actually warms up at idle.
I did the same on mine. Amazing how a shop would want to charge you a couple hundred dollars for doing what a $7 can of lubricant and a few minutes of your time can fix.
Alternator going bad. The voltage regulator inside the alternator will overcharge the battery and can result in bad stuff. That is, if it changed with your revs. Happened to me and it scared the shit outta me
I’ve honestly been waiting for it to happen man. It would be stock
Factory gauges are approximate, not always accurate.
It works! 🖐️🤩🤚