1983 Chevy Van idiot light and fuel gauge.

BUD NILSSON

MEMBER
1983 CHEVROLET VAN

Electrical problem
1983 Chevy Van V8 Two Wheel Drive Automatic

Battery voltage good at 12 v.
Start engine batt voltage 12 at idle. Fuel gauge shows 3/ 4, wich is about right. Increase rpm and alternator starts charging 13 + v. And the idiot light comes on red "volts". At the same time the fuel gauge start going towards "full" and stays full. No fuel added. Turn of engine and turn on the key again and no volts light on and without starting the fuel gauge showes normal 3/4 as it is about 3/4 full.
Start up again, at idle ok but no charge (volt) or fuelgauge normal until increasing rpm again to energise the alternator charge and the same tihng again. Idiot light "volts"- fuelgage going to full !
Please advise. Thanks,
You have the answer, I will donate !
Bud
bud@budbrake. Com

1 Reply

HMAC300

MECHANIC
48,601 POSTS

It sounds like the plug could be loose at teh back of the dash/circuit board. Or the circuit board is bad or the ground wire going to it isi broken or bad. Also there could be a voltage regulator problem/diode bridge problem in teh alternator. Take the alternator to a parts store and have it checked. Also make sure your alternator belt is tight as they loosened up on those models.