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07 VNL Cummins engine. Battery light on, voltage stays at 13.7, alternator fine. Any ideas?

Discussion in 'Ask An Owner Operator' started by Nix11, Mar 17, 2024.

  1. Mar 17, 2024 #1
    Nix11

    Nix11 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 30, 2016
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    07 VNL battery light stays on now. It blinked on and off before but now continues to stay on. Alternator is fine, batteries stay at 13.7 continuously, starts just fine. Any ideas what could it be, anyone run into a similar issue?
     
    Nix11, Mar 17, 2024
    Nix11, Mar 17, 2024
    #1
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  3. Mar 17, 2024 #2
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    It might have a sensor that isn't seeing enough voltage.

    Do you have 13.7 with ALL accessories and lights turned on with it running a couple hours.


    I've seen alternators work good without a load. But turn the headlights on and voltage drops very slowly. After a couple hours. You have to turn the lights off to get voltage back up.

    While 13.7 is doable. 14+ is usually the number.
     
    snowwy, Mar 17, 2024
    snowwy, Mar 17, 2024
    #2
  4. Mar 21, 2024 #3
    Nix11

    Nix11 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 30, 2016
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    Thanks for the response. I’m a bit slow on here…

    It’s an ongoing issue, the light is still on. I’ve replaced some wires from the starter to the battery and the grounds. The light went off but it’s back on now. I’ve always had the voltage around 13.7/8 since I got the truck 3/4 years ago. With all the accessories on it stays at 13.7 and it fluctuates at 8 and back.
    Now in had a couple things plugged in for a couple hours and it kinda struggled to start, voltage was at 11.9 but started.
    Any suggestions?
     
    Nix11, Mar 21, 2024
    Nix11, Mar 21, 2024
    #3
  5. Mar 21, 2024 #4
    snowwy

    snowwy Road Train Member

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    Either your batteries are getting old.

    Or your alternator is wearing down.

    Or both.

    You need a shop to load test both batteries and alternator.
     
    snowwy, Mar 21, 2024
    snowwy, Mar 21, 2024
    #4
  7. Mar 22, 2024 #5
    Nix11

    Nix11 Bobtail Member

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    Jun 30, 2016
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    Both batteries and alternator were changed last year. Thanks for the suggestion, I’ll test them.
     
    Nix11, Mar 22, 2024
    Nix11, Mar 22, 2024
    #5
  8. Mar 22, 2024 #6
    Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

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    Bring it to a Volvo shop, let them put it on the little computer with the factory software, and have them see what's going on. I think Volvo is like Ford, using current sensors to determine the battery life in order not to cook the batteries.
     
    Ridgeline, Mar 22, 2024
    Ridgeline, Mar 22, 2024
    #6
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