tmertz

A few weeks ago while driving on the hwy., I happened to notice the needle on the batt gauge dip for no apparent reason. Since it's got my attention, I notice it more and more. Not sure if this is how it always is, or if something is going on.

I notice when getting off the gas and stopping at a light/stop sign, the needed will dip and bounce back - say 1-2 widths of the needle. And even when running at hwy RPM's the needle is just to the left of the 14v hash (assuming 14v is the hash at 12:00). I could have sworn in the past the needle was just a hair to the right of the hash.

Anyway, I'm not sure if this is just paranoia or if this is something to have checked further. Auto Zone tested and said the battery/starter/alternator are all fine.

2013 4Runner Limited - all stock, no extra amps/lights etc.

akwheeler

Your charge indicator (volt gauge) can dip for any number of reasons, most likely you either have the A/C on and are seeing the dip when the condenser fan kicks on or you have your heater control on defrost which uses the A/C to dry the air blowing on your windshield (same fan kicking on in front of your radiator). When you are stopping the engine (and alternator) RPMs drop and applying the brakes increases the load on the battery (brake lights), so the indicator dips. I am in no way familiar with a 5th gen though, do they still run a mechanical fan for engine cooling or have they gone electric? Either way 1-2 needle widths is nothing to be concerned with if the battery voltage is staying near 14 volts with the engine running and if you have an alternator issue you will see a batter/charge lite or similar warning on your instrument cluster.

RAD4Runner

Like AKWheeler says ^^^
PLUS... get a volt-meter. I would not trust that analog gage; it doesn't give you exact voltage. Buy a cigarette lighter socket voltmeter from Amazon; I used that to monitor my battery voltage. However it will only work IF, AND ONLY IF, all wiring from your battery AND alternator to the cigarette lighter socket is good.
On our 22R-Eliable's charging voltage range from 13.5 to 15.1Volts, depending on temperature and state of charge of the battery.