Battery guage

With the engine running the gauge should measure the output of your alternator. The low voltage may be indicative of issues with your alternator. If you have one of those that shows the voltage without the engine running, then check your gauge for a bad resistor on the dash panel. I would definitely start measuring the output there, and make sure that all the ground is properly connected. Just came across this. Seems to be an issue with GM

From GM a notice.> This bulletin is being revised to add the 2009 model year. Please discard Corporate Bulletin Number 02-06-03-008C (Section 06 -- Engine). ________________________________________ Any vehicle may have a low voltage display (if equipped with gauges), lights that dim at stop lights, slow cranking, no start, low generator output at idle or dim lights at idle when electrical loads are heavy at idle or under slow driving or infrequent usage conditions. These characteristics may be more noticeable with customer added electrical accessories, or with a discharged battery. These are normal operating characteristics of a vehicle electrical system and no repairs should be attempted unless a proven fault has been diagnosed. During normal driving conditions, when engine speed is above 1000 RPM, the generator is designed to do two things: • Supply the current necessary to operate the vehicle's originally equipped electrical devices (loads). • Recharge/maintain the battery's state of charge. The following factors may affect generator and battery performance: • Non-usage of the vehicle for extended periods of time. The vehicle's computers, clocks and the like will cause the battery state of charge to drop (For example; 30 days in a parking lot and the vehicle may not start because of a dead battery or a vehicle which is driven only a short distance once a week may end up with a discharged battery to the point where the vehicle may not start). This would be considered abnormal usage of the vehicle and the normally expected result for the vehicle battery, generator and electrical systems. • At idle, vehicle electrical loads may exceed the low speed current (amperage) output of the generator and when this happens the shortfall comes from the battery. This will result in a drop in the electrical system voltage as the battery delivers the additional electrical current to meet the demand. This is equivalent to the brown outs experienced by homes and businesses when the electrical demand is more than the supply. See Figure 1. • Extended periods of engine idling, with high electrical loads, may result in a discharged battery. Attempting to recharge a battery by letting the engine run at idle may not be beneficial unless all electrical loads are turned "OFF". • Increased internal generator temperatures from extended idling can also contribute to lower electrical system voltage. As the generator's internal temperature rises, the generator's output capability is reduced due to increased electrical resistance. The following are some typical examples of electrical loads: System Amperage Load Rear Window Defogger 25 Electric AIR Pump 25 Heated Seats 5 Amps per seat Headlamps (high) 20 Blower Motor (High) 20 Headlamps (Low) 15 Brake Lights 6 Windshield Wipers 6 Ignition 6 Figure 1 Depending on the vehicle application, generator current (amperage) output at engine idle speeds of 600-700 RPM can be as low as 35 percent of the full rated output. With enough electrical loads "ON", it is easy to exceed the generator current (amperage) output when the engine is at an idle of 600-700 RPM. This is a normal condition. The battery supplements for short periods of time. Items that affect the vehicle's electrical system current and voltage at idle are the number of electrical loads being used, including add-on accessories, and extended idle times. When the vehicle speed is above approximately 24 km/h (15 mph), the engine/generator RPM is high enough and the generator current (amperage) output is sufficient to supply the current (amperage) requirements of the vehicle as originally equipped and recharge the battery. Dimming lights at idle may be considered normal for two reasons: 1. As the engine/generator speed changes, so will the current (amperage) output of the generator. As a vehicle slows, engine/generator RPM slows and the current (amperage) output of the generator may not be sufficient to supply the loads, the vehicle system voltage will drop and the lights will dim. Dimming of the lights is an indication that current is being pulled from the battery. If the battery is in a low state-of-charge (discharged condition), the driver will notice a more pronounced dimming than a vehicle with a fully charged battery. 2. When high current loads (blower, rear defogger, headlamps, cooling fan, heated seats, power seats, electric "AIR" pump, or power windows) are operating or cycled "ON", the generator's voltage regulator can delay the rise in output. This effect, usually at lower engine speeds, can take up to ten seconds to ramp up the generator output. This is done to avoid loading the engine severely. To increase current (amperage) output, additional torque is consumed by the generator. The engine computer (ECM/PCM) will ramp up engine/generator speed in small steps so engine speed variations are not noticeable to the driver. For diagnosis of the battery and/or the generator, refer to the appropriate Service Information (SI) or Corporate Bulletin Number 05-06-03-002C. Hope this helps,

This is common on large GM Vehicles: Some customers may comment that the voltmeter is fluctuating between 12 and 14 volts on their full size pickup or utility vehicle. Starting with the 2005 model year, light duty full size pickups and utilities are equipped with a new Regulated Voltage Control (RVC) system. This system reduces the targeted output of the generator to 12.6-13.1 volts when in "Fuel Economy Mode" to improve fuel economy. The generator may exit "Fuel Economy Mode" if additional voltage is required. This will cause the voltmeter to fluctuate between 12 and 14 volts as opposed to non-regulated systems that usually maintain a more consistent reading of 14 volts. This fluctuation with the RVC system is normal system operation and NO repairs should be attempted.

Apparently it is to preserve the system over a longer time. This is what GM refers to as the preservation fluctuation

it helps prolong the charging system, dont always have to run 14 volts

Turning on the headlamps sometimes will raise the indicated voltage. Have the alternator tested to be sure it is good.

OK thanks

This was very help because I encountered this last night on my newly purchased Yukon.

I have a 2017 gmc yokon and yesterday i was driveing it and it went pass the 14 is there something wrong with it would u think i need to take it to the dealership. I called and they told me it was fine just to watch it. Never happen to me on till now. Any ideas what i should do take my truck in for services or just watch really close to it.

Look this is how my battery looks like it goes down to

and when i truned it back on it went pass14

i had the truck running when i took those pictures. the dealership told me it was ok for it to be that low and everyone telling me no it cant be that low. what u think i should do take it in a make the dealership fix it.

ok yeah ill have it fixed it only a year old. thanks for the help lets see what they say when i take it to the dealership tomorrow. i bought it last year and it already messing up on me.

I'm having the same problem with my Chevy Tahoe , truck had to be jumped , had battery replaced and drove the car 2 days , the same thing happened again with a no start, jumped truck again ,went to the dealership, while sitting in the car with the service representative gauge went back up ,truck is starting but it's a slow start .

my 03 Yukon does this as well drops from 14 to 12- only on mine, it resets the ecm i heard they are notorius for Bad grounding, I am not sure if this is True but i need to fix this, whatever "IT" is

Hi Is there a manufacturing problem in the Yukon sedan cars 2015 Where his speed was found 130 km Is the cause of the rug from the column of the cardan?

About 2 weeks ago my power locks started acting up , the back seat locks totally went out and the driver and passenger are starting to go out, now I’m having this same issue with my battery gauge . Could these issues be related ?

Your body control module may be going out if locks are affected with battery gauge fluctuation

Well my brand new Savana goes down after a bit & if I restart it the volts go up .A shop told me thats normal on these new vehicles. I am not comfortable driving with the gauge showing the discharge side of the unit.

I have a question. When my AC and radiator fans are running the inside voltmeter will drop and I change the alternator already and I checked alternate, battery and it's good an I put a cable from the alternator to the battery and still do the same. it's just wen the fan go on It drop a lot of voltage

My 2015 Yukon XL does exactly the same just bought new battery same.alternator test said good .so your saying it's common sometimes low sometimes hi

I have a 2012 Sierra and I began seeing this within the last 2 weeks. I had the original battery so I changed it. But didn’t help. Dealer said it’s normal. But it’s not. I never saw this before. Even when I’m at 50mph, nothing recharges. Windows are slow, wipers are slow, power mirrors are slow folding in. Like I said, never had this problem before. Might take it to another dealer.

My Yukon indicates 14 Votls. A diagnostic by a local garage indicated voltage too high (which could damage other things). Wondering what the voltage should read on my dashboard?

Thanks for that. It is a 2012. Hate to start replacing alternator etc....

The 02 XL model is different from other models. I was looking for something more specific. The gauge bounces and all lights pulse w it. The question is why??