JeepWoman

Just started doing this yesterday, Volt meter in cluster started dropping towards t red 9 volt. Put multi-meter on battery, it shows 13.92 with ac, headlights on, meter just above red line. Pulled the gauge to check for shorted diodes, they both look fine, I let it sit and run like that multi-meter shows perfect 13.9. So I'm assuming the gauge itself is bad. One thing that happened when I pulled the cover off the back, there was a plastic pieces with a magnet on it fell out, If I move it to different points (4 of them) the needle setting moves. Should I put it where the needle sits on the 9 on gauge face? I've cleaned the circuit board where the mounting screws contact the circuit board, But it still shows discharge even though the multi- meter shows perfect. Any ideas?

Red1992XJ

It probably wouldn't be a bad idea to clean the battery terminals if you have not done so recently. Also, start looking into cleaning the ground point, especially for the dash. If you search on here, you should be able to find the info you need.

It could be possible the gauge itself went bad, you should be able to pick up a cluster at a junkyard and swap just the voltage gauge into your cluster.

JeepWoman

Everything is cleaned up, and put the meter on the rear of the panel while running and it showed 13.08, while the gauge still showed around 9-11 volts. Will be heading to the u-pull yard.

97grand4.0

Not so fast. I believe the pcm has a hand in manipulating the voltage gauge, it will do so when it perceives a problem with the charging system. This is not spelled out anywhere in the fsm or elsewhere, but it's a fact. I would have the alternator checked, and then suspect the voltage regulator isn't happy with something. Replacing the gauge I bet will not change anything.

JeepWoman

Replacement voltmeter in from the u-pull yard and it's back to showing volts again. Problem fixed.