in dash volt meter

[jgh]

the volt meter in my 99 discovery doesn't move, stuck at about 7 volts ignition off and engine running. pulled guage and put my volt meter on wires with engine running, only read 6.5 volts. do I need need new guage, where do I get one. shouldn't it read 12+ volts with engine running. batteries seem to be charged, drove 500+ miles and everything was fine. have run engine and driven short distances no problems. I'm new to this so input appreciated.

[loulong]

You should read between 13.2 and 14+ volts with the engine running.

[alvinc]

Several things come to mind:

• Bad Gauge
• Bad ground to Gauge
• Bad alternator, not producing enough voltage.

Solutions:

• If you know electricity, get the voltage meter out and start checking voltages. At the battery, engine running, and not.
• Better yet, take it to a service location and get a free check of the battery and charging system. If they say the system is OK, then start checking the wiring of the meter and/or replace it.

My guess, if this just happened, that there is something wrong with your charging system. Typically when a volt meter dies, it shows NO voltage.

Let us know what the problem was.

[EngineerMike]

I'm guessing you have a good gauge, bad connection in the gauge circuit. You got ~same voltage w/your independent multi-meter, right? So OEM gauge is reading correct voltage. You have two options, trace the circuit till you find the volt drop & correct the problem where you find it, or replace the circuit & abandon the original.

[LonBoy]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jgh the volt meter in my 99 discovery doesn't move, stuck at about 7 volts ignition off and engine running. pulled guage and put my volt meter on wires with engine running, only read 6.5 volts. do I need need new guage, where do I get one. shouldn't it read 12+ volts with engine running. batteries seem to be charged, drove 500+ miles and everything was fine. have run engine and driven short distances no problems. I'm new to this so input appreciated.

Put your Postive test cable to the hot end of the gauge(wire) and find a close ground see what voltage you get when you move the ground closer.

[jgh]

the reading at the battery is 13+. the voltmeter needle is stuck @ about 10, doesn't move with ignition on or off or with engine running.

[jgh]

after all this it was the volt meter. Freightline's charge $240. that hurts, but now it works