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Subject:VOLTAGE & IDIOT LIGHTS
From:jhlauterbach
Date:Sun, 6 Dec 1998 14:12:56 -0500

After seeing some apparently strange things happening to my gauges, etc., on
my '84 DL, I have temporarily connected a voltmeter to the connector that
would normally go to the radio.  I have noticed the following (all readings
approximate).

voltage before starting - 12.5
voltage after starting - 11.7 (BATT and OXY lights on)
voltage after increasing engine rpm's slightly - 13.5
voltage will operating at highway speeds with headlights off - 13.5 to 13.7
voltage drop after turning headlights on with engine running at any speed -
0.7 to 0.9 volts

Are above readings normal?  I would have expected that voltage regulator
would have reacted to headlights being turned on and brought voltage back to
13.5.  Do I need a new voltage regulator?  If so, how much of a job is it?

John Lauterbach

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