How much voltage the charging system should be?
1996 Chevrolet Silverado 5.7L when i start the engine and check the volts the number is 13.7 volts with no accessories on is that enough volts if not what could be the problem why it have low volts?
Cars & Trucks - Chevrolet
Answers & Comments
13.7 volts is within the correct charging range. While charging it should read between 13.7 and 14.7.
How old is the battery and the alternator? If the vehicle is difficult to start and you are worried, get a good mechanic to 'Load Test' the battery for voltage output. You could also have the alternator output tested to see if it is charging at the correct rate. A good Auto electrician can do both of these jobs for you.
the slow cranking is mostly when the engine is hot but it don't do it every time when the engine is hot the interior light don't work don't have no trunk no satnav plugged into the cigar lighter.
It sounds like it could be the starter motor. They tend to fail slowly over time.
With the engine Cold and turned off, use a multimeter set to the voltage display. With the wires red to red and black to black test the battery voltage. It should read at around 12.6 volts.
Keeping well clear of any moving engine parts and with the multimeter wires in place, get a helper to start the car. The voltage should drop. It shouldn’t drop below 9.6 volts. If it does drop lower, get the starter motor tested.
Try the same test with the engine warmed up and see if the voltage drop is the same.
Have you performed a cranking voltage test with a voltmeter that has a min/max setting ? If it drops below 9.6 Volts while cranking it may have a connection corrosion issue or weak cables .
Some meters have a minimum and maximum record button you can set to record in fractions of a second . It's easier to catch the actual cranking voltage drop with min/max turned on if the meter has it . You say it's worse when hot and that can be a heat related voltage drop on the starter cables .
Any voltage over 12 volts is fine 13.7 is great