Unsteady voltage at idle?

[TommyR]

Just wondering if anyone had any ideas why my voltage isn't steady when idling. It doesn't drop a substantial amount, but the needle on the voltage gauge basically vibrates and the odometer lights slightly flicker. All of my battery connections look solid and when driving or on the highway it's steady as a rock. Makes me worried that maybe my alternator is starting to get weak on me.

 

[mooman]

Just wondering if anyone had any ideas why my voltage isn't steady when idling. It doesn't drop a substantial amount, but the needle on the voltage gauge basically vibrates and the odometer lights slightly flicker. All of my battery connections look solid and when driving or on the highway it's steady as a rock. Makes me worried that maybe my alternator is starting to get weak on me.

What is the range of the guage?

 

[Doubeleive]

could be nothing, could be a bad cell in battery, or even a problem with the alternator, I would take it to sears or autozone or anyone that does a free battery test just to eliminate that and go from there.

 

[Doubeleive]

my experience with that issue (twice) was a weak battery/bad cell both times.

 

[Fless]

Check and clean the engine and body grounds, too.

 

[TommyR]

What is the range of the guage?

It flutters right at 14V it doesnt drop a huge amount. The needle just vibrates and my gauge cluster lights will slightly flicker. Doesnt move more than a volt or volt and a half I'd say

 

[PG01]

Does it click with blinker?

 

[swathdiver]

That's not a problem with the cluster itself???

 

[Hippie459MN]

My 1997 Suburban did that for a long time. It was the voltage regulator in the alternator causing it. And testing it would always show good at the auto parts store just cause it was putting out the required voltage. Also, I was having a slight parasitic drain on my battery. After sitting like two weeks or more, my battery would be low as heck or even dead, it was the alternator also. I just changed it one day and problems solved. No more bouncing voltage gauge and flickering dash lights and no more battery drain when I let it sit for long periods.

 

[David Smith]

I had the same issue. Replaced my alternator and the problem went away. I am guessing it was my voltage regulator as well