New battery, alternator and regulator test fine. Multimeter reading at the terminals is fine. Gauge reads around 18v at the dash. Battery ground is solid. 🤔

I checked through the fuses and everything looks good.

any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

Ryan

 

Welcome to YotaTech. Ya know, it would help to know what kind of vehicle you're talking about. Not so much for your issue, but on almost every other issue the answer might depend on the year, make, model, engine, transmission, trim .... If you stick around, think about putting all that in your signature.

The only thing in a 4Runner electrical system that can produce a voltage higher than battery voltage is the alternator, and that your battery sits between the alternator and the "rest" of the electrical system. If your (otherwise accurate) multimeter reads a lower voltage from the battery post to ground than you see on the combination meter (instrument panel) meter, then that meter is just reading high. You can replace the meter, you can add a very expensive (but quite accurate) digital meter, or you can just live with it.

 

Thanks! It’s a 95 4Runner V6- I’ll add that to my signature moving forward.

Kindly,
Ryan

 

Take a picture of the gauge and post it up on here so we can see what you are seeing.

 

Here’s a photograph of the gauge.

ideally the gas gauge would be closer to the F and the battery gauge in the middle.

 

Just paying 3.70 a gallon I feel your pain

mine reads pretty high also and everything is cool, it’s cold out and I’m in comfy clothes so tomorrow on the way to work I’ll take a pic and compare. 0-18….who knows what Toyota decided to do in between, we may never know

I will check mine and post a pic.

 

Did the gauge read lower before all the charging components were replaced?
Where did you get/what brand of alternator?

 

This truck is actually new to me so I've not replaced the charging components besides the battery and terminals and I've never seen the gauge read correctly. I say that the alternator/ regulator are in proper working order because they were tested at an auto parts store both before and after the battery was replaced. Both read as being in proper working order.

 

That gauge looks normal to me. The needle should stay between the two lines. Usually with ignition on and engine off, the needle will be closer to the center, and with the engine running it should be right where you show it. I've had one person ride in my truck and comment on the same thing saying it looks like it's overcharging. It's just one of those funky things you later find is normal.

 

thats my kinda answer.

thank you!

 

My needle sits a smidge below yours when running, I'd say it's a non-issue.

 

Sorry I’m late I just remembered!




So what looks to be the same angle it looks about the same.

As said above pretty sure you’re good to go, I wouldn’t worry about it.

 

Thanks! Your gas gauge is lookin good too

 

although my 4runners are both '87s, the gauge reads similarly.

pics (at idle, cold engine, with headlights on):

from my "older" '87



from my "newer" '87