My vans battery gauge freaking out, Im not stopping, LOL

[Nicksan]

Last weekend I planned on going to the beach to do some detecting, everthing was set, had full tank of gas, spare batteries for the detector etc....

I am just a few hundred feet from the freeway onramp and my Battery/Electrical gauge on my van starts bouncing up and down and Im like WTF? It did this a few

months ago but stopped........... I said to myself, screw it, keep going ......... and I did. Made it there and back with no problems.......... As far as finds, just 90 cents

in clad and a pocket full of junk

 

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[AlienLifeForm]

Keep an eye on your instrument cluster, if your gauges start to go on the fritz it could be an alternator about to give up the ghost. Id have both the alternator and battery tested, most auto parts stores will test both free of charge if you don't have access to a multimeter.

 

[Simon1]

A battery shouldn't fluctuate like that. Since you stated it did this a few months ago and then stopped, the first thing to do is check for a loose connection, then the second would be to have the alternator tested and if you do go to an auto parts store, might as well as have them do the battery at the same time just for peace of mind. Myself, I just don't have faith in those auto parts personnel keeping "Neutral". Just my bad experiences in the past, but you might have better luck, ( mine was from a different time and different people ).

 

[against the wind]

I gave had my share of breakdowns, but mostly on a motorcycle.
Congratulations on your hunt.

 

[toddbbq]

Battery is probably shorting out internally as over time the lead plates inside start to break down. Time for a new battery IMHO.

 

[pat-tekker-cat]

If not battery or alternator, check the brain.......
Do they still have electronic brains in cars?
I know they used to be expensive to have to replace.

GL & HH!

 

[choppadude]

Is it a Chevrolet? They had an issue with the stepper motors in the instrument cluster. Have rebuilt a few of them over the years.

 

[searching 4]

had a 81 Chevy pick up that the gauge did the same , ended up being the gauge itself... ,but those were the days when vehicles were a lot easier to work on..i usually go to the auto wreckers to get some parts ,a lot cheaper for sure and the one I go to does guarantee parts for 90 days I would also look for any bad grounds

 

[Red James Cash]

Loose connection going to the gauge.

 

[Nicksan]

Actually my point was that I was determined to go detecting.
On Saturday I ended up getting a new battery, time will tell if that was the issue or not.
I also had my charging system checked and the alternator is charging fine.
I am constantly doing things to keep my van running, but thanks for the advice.