Voltmeter reading???

[profstoff]

My voltmeter reads about 13V under normal driving but when the headlights are on this drops to about 12 - 12.5V and the heater fan as well brings it down to about 11.5V. Is this normal 'cause it strikes me as being a bit low. IIRC the bible says it should be about 14V. Can anyone shed some light?

[bugsy]

Welcome to TVR ownership Chris, I reckon that guages are only an indication that things are working in my experiance.
If you are concerned that the alternator is not giving out the proper charge, I would get it checked out when you get it serviced.
BTW, while you are plugged into a diognostic machine, get the PPM's and leads checked out.
I'm sure my leads are on the way out and that it's running well rich.

[Roy C]

profstoff said:

My voltmeter reads about 13V under normal driving but when the headlights are on this drops to about 12 - 12.5V and the heater fan as well brings it down to about 11.5V. Is this normal 'cause it strikes me as being a bit low. IIRC the bible says it should be about 14V. Can anyone shed some light?

Sounds normal to me. At best these gauges are only an approximation and there's quite a variation between different cars.

[tvrgit]

Agreed - they do all seem to be different. I think you just have to get used to your own car's "normal" readings and only get worried if there's any variation.

[silverback mike]

Mine's the same.

[dougc]

Yep, same here. In fact it's also a handy device for checking if my indicators have cancelled. With the roof off and the sun out, the dashboard lights are useless and you can't hear the tick. The metronomic needle of the Voltmeter meanwhile ensures that I don't drive 3 miles looking like a numpty with my right indicator going.

[F908 Tim]

Ditto All.

Any variation from the norm is the thing to keep an eye open for!

Just like women...

[profstoff]

Thanks for the advice everyone. I thought it was nothing to worry about. Sometimes I wish I didn't have gauges.
Nice tip about the indicators Doug.

[profstoff]

bugsy said:

... BTW, while you are plugged into a diognostic machine, get the PPM's and leads checked out. I'm sure my leads are on the way out and that it's running well rich.

Thanks Derek, I'll get it checked.

[Roy C]

profstoff said:

Sometimes I wish I didn't have gauges.

When the earth lead falls off, you won't.

[profstoff]

Roy C said:

profstoff said: Sometimes I wish I didn't have gauges. When the earth lead falls off, you won't.

I always like an optimist

[Pies]

I had exactly this then i went and cleaned my earth points.Upon cleaning i found the offside earth was covered in whatever TVR coated the chassis with,they never cleaned the earth

Now it reads properly

So chech your earths are clean

[bigtalljim]

Speaking of gauge blues, My voltmeter showed low and when I checked volts across the Battery with quality meter it showed good charging, the V6 lump is volts hungry though, by old capri was the same (had 5!)
Any body out there have the same problem with oil pressure gauge reading low when replacing old sender with modern sender. (got mine from TVR parts)
It reads about 5 - 10 Lbs low but never reads zero when running and driving.

[bugsy]

Had the same problem with the new oil pressure sender

[lwt]

voltmeter: clean the earth points on the chassis. Repair or replace any corroded earth straps, My temp gauge went up as lights & heater went on. All normal now. This can also be the cause of misfires via the ecu.

Ian.

[bigtalljim]

Did you manage to get the oil pressure reading correct or just leave it be and know at least it isnt reading zero?
On the subject of voltmeters, mine isnt used very often and the battery is fine so guess it is charging fine and the meter is a bit twitchy. I am gonna fit a new bigger amp alternator just to let it cope with winter driving.

Anybody out there fitted a newer type fuel sender in place of the old bolt on type? thought about drilling the new one holes to match up with bots on old one.

any thoughts?