1995 Dodge Neon voltage fluxuating

COREY D

MEMBER
1995 DODGE NEON
4 CYL
FWD
AUTOMATIC
200,036 MILES

Car has a skip so I tested voltage and at the battery I am getting 10-19 volts when running. When I use the pos on the battery and ground at the frame I get 14.4 only once in a while I get 12.5 for a half sec. All of the grounds I cleaned and reattached that go to the battery on both ends. What would cause this?

Monday, November 10th, 2008 AT 5:24 PM

6 Replies

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Check for codes
codes will help point u in the right direction
suspect alternator

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Monday, November 10th, 2008 AT 5:55 PM

COREY D

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4 POSTS

I checked no codes or gauge light. I am in the 12volt industry (car audio) and I have never seen anything test like this before.

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Monday, November 10th, 2008 AT 6:39 PM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

This is why I asked for codes
this system is self diagnose and always running self check
I would suspect a bad ground
run a temp wire between battery negative side and alternator mount bolt
and recheck

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Monday, November 10th, 2008 AT 8:48 PM

COREY D

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4 POSTS

I just got this car couple weeks ago but I added 0 gauge - battery to frame and frame to motor. I havent added alt pos to battery pos because I didnt have a metric nut on hand.

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Monday, November 10th, 2008 AT 9:13 PM

BMRFIXIT

MECHANIC
19,053 POSTS

Run battery to motor with out the frame

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Monday, November 10th, 2008 AT 9:25 PM

COREY D

MEMBER
4 POSTS

Well I replaced the alt today and in this car was a real pita. It didnt fix the problem come to find out the voltage regulator is in the PCM. I am going to have to find a used one. Is it 95, 96, 97 the only yrs that will work?

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Tuesday, November 11th, 2008 AT 7:23 PM