Voltage readings

Chappo,

I'm no auto elec, but my first step would be to put a multi meter on the battery terminals whilst the car is running. If its not showing between 13.8 and 14.4 volts there is something wrong and time to see an auto elec.

I say this because I wouldn't necessarily trust on old voltmeter.

Good Luck,

Jim.

Chappo

The engine starts so the battery is fine. The voltage moves when the engine is revved. The 8 volts at idle may be indicating that the regulator has crapped out. When the engine revs, how high do the volts go? They could go up to 20 volts, this is bad. If the regulator is external to the alternator it isn't to hard to change yourself. If it is internal, I don't know. This might be where the auto sparky comes in I guess.

Like what was said before the voltage should be about 13.8volts. This should be at all rev ranges. The reguators job is to keep voltage constant and to supply thr correct charging current at all times.

Allan

Chappo if your meter (not the one that's just a bit more than a yard LOL) goes up and down with revs then the alternator is doing something. If the battery is starting the vehicle consistently then I suspect that the meter is the faulty party. As already suggested put a multimeter the terminals and see if it agrees with the one in the car. If it does then your engine won't be starting for much longer!! WWhen the engine is running is should read in the order of 14 volts. With the engine off the battery alone should of course be 12 volts. An 8 volt reading would indicate 2 faulty cells and would not start the engine.

Chappo,

In my 60 there is a big multipin plug at the back of the meter panel..the sense contact causes problems sometimes [even in good nick the voltage reading pulses with the direction indicators]....giving it a wiggle usually cures it. Pulling the the whole meter asembly out is a pain.......big hands!...especially the odometer cable.

cheers

Thankyou all very much for the feedback. On Long Service Leave as of now so I will sort it out before heading out!
Chappo