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Thread: Voltmeter low point?

  1. #1
    twolow Guest

    Voltmeter low point?

    This is most likely a stupid or hashed out question but I really do look before I post

    I just got my over the hill MM with over 60K miles so when I see the voltmeter dance around at night I start worrying about a alternator. No modded pullies (as far as I know anyway).

    When I'm at a red light at night with the headlights on, taillights all lit up, etc the voltmeter likes to work its way down to 11-12 volts. The dashlights and gauge lights like to flicker a bit when this happens as well. If I let off the brake it tends to jump up some then of course jumps up to 13 or better once the gas is punched.

    I would think I'm safe unless its under 10 volts. True?

  2. #2
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    Quote Originally Posted by twolow
    This is most likely a stupid or hashed out question but I really do look before I post

    I just got my over the hill MM with over 60K miles so when I see the voltmeter dance around at night I start worrying about a alternator. No modded pullies (as far as I know anyway).

    When I'm at a red light at night with the headlights on, taillights all lit up, etc the voltmeter likes to work its way down to 11-12 volts. The dashlights and gauge lights like to flicker a bit when this happens as well. If I let off the brake it tends to jump up some then of course jumps up to 13 or better once the gas is punched.

    I would think I'm safe unless its under 10 volts. True?
    Sounds like 2 separate issues.

    The battry voltage is probably ok.

    The flickering lights have been mentioned here before, if the lights are dimmed with the switch, it is more obvious. With them at ful brightness is is less apparent, at least according to what I remember from previous threads.
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  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by FordNut
    Sounds like 2 separate issues.

    The battry voltage is probably ok.

    The flickering lights have been mentioned here before, if the lights are dimmed with the switch, it is more obvious. With them at ful brightness is is less apparent, at least according to what I remember from previous threads.
    My Marauder with 25k miles did the same exact thing with the voltage. I never had a prob with starting or running accesories so Dont worry about it too much

  4. #4
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    I'm noticing the same with mine and it has less than 5,000 miles. I think it's because of the low idle speed.
    2004 DTR Marauder
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  5. #5
    twolow Guest
    Thanks for the answers guys. I thought it was normal but wanted to make sure

  6. #6
    MMSuperFan Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by twolow
    Thanks for the answers guys. I thought it was normal but wanted to make sure
    I had flickering and low voltage with mine. The car came with one of the alternators with the clutch style pulley. I went to my local Ford dealer and purchased a Police interceptor alternator with the solid pulley. The PI alternator has a lot more amps than the stock alternator and the flickering stopped and the voltage reads much higher now. Voltage was a little more of an issue for me, since I had installed the Meziere electric water pump.

    Been very happy with the alternator upgrade.


  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by MMSuperFan
    I had flickering and low voltage with mine. The car came with one of the alternators with the clutch style pulley. I went to my local Ford dealer and purchased a Police interceptor alternator with the solid pulley. The PI alternator has a lot more amps than the stock alternator and the flickering stopped and the voltage reads much higher now. Voltage was a little more of an issue for me, since I had installed the Meziere electric water pump.

    Been very happy with the alternator upgrade.

    Is the interceptor alternator a direct replacement, with no modifications? Ie wireharness and mounts.
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  8. #8
    MMSuperFan Guest
    Quote Originally Posted by jgc61sr2002
    Is the interceptor alternator a direct replacement, with no modifications? Ie wireharness and mounts.
    It has been about a year ago that I did the mod, but, if memory serves me correctly, it is an exact replacement. You just install the new alternator on your bracket and the wiring was not changed.

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