Volt Guage not reading correctly.

[Mkos1980]

I have a 21ft Chaparral with a 350 mag. My issues is the volt guage is showing 12v or just under with the motor running. I put a meter to the back of the alternator when running and its showing 13.7-14.4 I put the meter to the battery and its showing the same. I put the meter to the cig lighter on the dash and its showing 13.7 - 14 when running. It seems everything is getting the correct reading except the volt gauge. I thought it was the gauge but I put the meter to the wires going to the gauge and its showing 11.7-12.3 Thoughts? Gauges are origional VDO's

 

[Don S]

Re: Volt Guage not reading correctly.

Remove the purple wire from the volt meter and retest the voltage.
Do the voltage test first using the black wire on the gauge as the ground and then try it with your meters black wire to another ground and see what you get.
If you are still getting low voltage on the purple wire, there is probably a loose or corroded connection in the wire to the gauge.

Also, check the voltages on the purple wires going to the other gauges as well.