what should the voltage be when the engine is running and you do a check at the battery?

Answer 1

13.5-14.5 Vdc
You can check it at the battery. Or any other Positive + to ground -.

Answer 2

Basic Voltage Test- Put voltmeter on battery posts with engine off. You want at least 12 volts. Back of alternator has a pos+ and neg- terminal, should be marked on alternator, put voltmeter on these terminals, with car running you want 13.5 -14.5 volts at 2000 rpm, (a little above twice idle RPM - WATCH OUT FOR MOVING BELTS etc .) You also want this at battery at same RPM, again put voltmeter on battery terminals + and -. 1st on battery clamps and then battery posts with clamps still on. If voltage is lower on posts, remove clamps and sandpaper them and posts, check again. But around 13.5 to 14.5 is what the alternator should put out, make sure the belt is tight. I think battery has to be fully charged when making tests 12 volts at least. Check battery fluid level (use only distilled water)

Check voltage at battery before putting leads on alternator.

Answer 3

You should see about 13.8 volts when the alternator is charging...generally I will allow for 1 volt lower....so, between 12.8 and 13.8. That's just checking the alternator, to check the battery, you must shut the vehicle off for 12 hours and check the voltage. It should not be below 12.5 volts and the vehicle should crank over at a normal rate. Check your alternator first. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hi how are you...
On a 12 volt system
after the engine has been running for a while
and if your battery is in good condition then

Your multimeter reading should be around

°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º° 14.2 - 14.5 volts °º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°

This is because your alternators voltage regulator has lowered the field winding voltage and stopped charging the battery over 14.2 volts.
Hope this helps.

Answer 5

engine off: about 13 volts volts

engine on: 13.5-14

I might be off a little bit with my numbers, but i'm pretty close.

if the voltage does not increase from not-running to engine running, then your alternator is dead.

check the voltage on the battery terminals with a voltmeter/multi-meter.

Answer 6

It should be between 13.5 and 14.5 so you have some charge left over to charge the battery. Most places that sell batteries will check this for free.

Answer 7

the voltage should be....14.5 v at the battery with the engine running and idle slightly raised

Answer 8

with engine running alternator should charge at around 12 volts, and 4 amps

Answer 9

between 12.1 volts dc and 13.8 volts dc---if it is lower or higher you need to get the alternator checked---by the way this is for a gasoline engine, i have no idea what voltages would be for a deisel engine.

Answer 10

14 volts