I notice when I start my truck the voltage gauge seems to stay low for awhile like its not charging. Then after about 5 min or so it seems to kick in and the guage reads over half like it is charging. Just wondered if anyone else has noticed this on thier truck or not?
I know it takes alot of juice to preheat. But I would think it would show it charging right away as the engine first starts?
Anyone have any input? Thanks in advance. ;D

 

Totaly normal.
The grid heater is a 750 watt element.

Here's another thread

https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...threadid=20890

 

If you have not already done so, read your owners manual. It makes reference to this.

 

Hey mods time for a sticky on this. Gonna get millions of them since it is getting cold. Dunno man, buy a 50 dollar VCR and read the book 6 times. Buy a 40k truck and leave it int he glove box. Why??

 

The only time I looked at my owner's manual was to find out how to set the clock for Daylight Savings Time.

That's what we're here for. ;D

 

Then make a sticky!!!!

 

Here's a Thumb Tack......... ;D

 

Good one....

 

Ok let me make it more clear then. I realize the heater does use alot of power on cold starts. But even in 60 to 70 degree weather it is doing this. I kick the key on and it cycles once for a few seconds and I start it up. The gauge stays put as it would if you had the key on without the engine running on about 12 or so volts. Sometimes it jumps up right away as I am backing out of the drive and other times it will jump up after a few blocks. Like the regulator is not kicking in the alternator right away or something. I may be paranoid as this may be normal. And to defend myself...I did read the manual front to back...Thanks! And I do remember the reference to lower battery voltage due to several heating cycles. Usually in an automotive system the voltage gauge is not super accurate but you can normally see a higher voltage reading on the gauge when the regulator is sensing a voltage drop in the battery. Thats why in most vehicles if your battery is dead the gauge will usually show a really high reading as the regulator try to compensate for the voltage drop.
I just wasn't sure if this was a normal thing other people had noticed or not. It just been my experience that if the batteries are low and you start the vehicle you notice a higher reading on the guage right away and as the battery charges the gauge moves more towards 12 volts.

 

After i posted my last response I noticed the new topic on cold starts.
My guage doesn't fluctuate a bit....It just looks like a dead guage for a few minutes..and the guage rises almost suddenly. Like I said ..even in warm weather.

 

Strange,
Haven't seen any reports of that symptom yet. ???

Might want to double check the battery cable connections on both ends to make sure one isn't loose.
Keep us advised.

Ed

 

I had another diesel that had a similar problem On that truck the driver side batt had started leaking and the connection between the guage and the alt was so poor it showed the funny readings. I would make sure all of your electrical connections are tight. My truck does not show the behavior you are describing. I would check it out well before it does get really cold.
Good Luck Jason

 

My 03 does this, manual makes reference to it, it is normal. After engine is started the post start heater will run for about 3 min. or if you drive off right away the post heater will cancel when you reach 18mph.

Chris