[23VIVIDORANGE1LE]

I was wondering if any of your cars are doing the same thing. I’ve always had alternators that charge at 13.8 volts. This car drops about a notch & 1/4 below the 14 on the gauge. It used to be at 14 all the time. I’ve taken it to the dealership and they’re telling me that the alternator is a clutch type and it only takes volts when it needs them. I’ve posted a picture of how low the volts get. What do you guys think???

[arpad_m]

The Camaro has a dual purpose voltage gauge. While the alternator is charging, it displays the charging voltage (typically 14.25 to 14.75 V), and when it doesn't, the gauge shows the battery voltage. In your picture, the gauge indicates a voltage of ~12.65 V, which means the alternator is not charging and the battery is healthy, fully charged.

In other words, everything is normal, relax

[CalgaryZL1]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

The Camaro has a dual purpose voltage gauge. While the alternator is charging, it displays the charging voltage (typically 14.25 to 14.75 V), and when it doesn't, the gauge shows the battery voltage. In your picture, the gauge indicates a voltage of ~12.65 V, which means the alternator is not charging and the battery is healthy, fully charged.

In other words, everything is normal, relax

Yes, my GMC sierra does the same thing and it used to freak me out until I read into it, so there is no issue just look at it as a dual purpose gauge. When it’s not topping up the battery the alternator is running everything else which is a lot with these cars

[23VIVIDORANGE1LE]

Thank you guys, I really appreciate the answers. I’m not worried anymore.

[jollymon]

Display meter shows the current voltage on the battery. If the system believes it needs charging then it will show 13.8-14.5V-ish as the alternator is active engaged. If not needing charge, then the alternator is not charging it and voltage on battery is 12.6-12.8Vish. I.e., its doing the right thing.

[Boost Creep]

This is normal operation.
As an example of how this works, while engine braking like down a hill watch the voltage gauge. The gauge will move up from 12.6v to +14v as the alternator engages to help slow the vehicle down, like the ECU shutting off fuel etc.

[SSgtSS1LE]

The Generator provides a PWM feedback signal of the Generator voltage output through the Generator field duty cycle signal circuit to the ECM. This information is sent to the Body Control Module (BCM). The Generator field duty cycle signal (Generator F-terminal) is a PWM signal of 60-460 Hz with a duty cycle of 0-100%. Normal duty cycle is between 5-100%. 0-5% is reserved for diagnostic purposes.

As the charging system works to maintain the battery charge and manage vehicle electrical loads, it is normal for the voltmeter gauge on the instrument cluster or the system voltage displayed in the DIC to fluctuate or change. This does not indicate a malfunction. Depending on the battery state of charge and the vehicle electrical load, these values may be anywhere from 12.5 volts to 15.5 volts.

[23VIVIDORANGE1LE]

Thank you for the information. I've been watching it and it seems normal to me now. I was just comparing it to past vehicles, 96 Camaro SS, which is a total different car. Man I miss that car too....

[JustinRapp]

I saw this happen the other day on my 18' and was worried something was wrong. Glad this is normal operation.

[scott_0]

picked up an 18 1le two weeks ago, I was paranoid driving home from the dealership, as it displayed the same characteristics, did a little research and found it's normal lol