im having an issue with my battery gauge reading low. its on the middle line between 9 and 14. i dont have any warning lights on gauge just reads low even taking her on a long trip i have yet to see the gauge read past 14 at all. where do i start diagnosing?

 

I have a 97. The gauge has not read properly on mine for the past 6-7 years. Every once in a while it seems to work perfectly. I have a small volt meter that I put into the cigarette lighter to get a reading. Mine probably looks like yours. Sometimes it reads 9-10 volts. Battery light never comes on for a warning.
It is a false reading. I was never able to figure out why. I just learned to live with it. Somewhere between the battery and that gauge I figured there must be a wire loose. I just never had the full ambition to start tearing the dash apart.

Mark

 

I have a 98 blazer that reads low on the gauge most of the time. Had it for 8 years. I've checked the output of the alternator and its around 14v and the battery without running sits at over 13v. I noticed when I had to replace the alternator last year the gauge now reads somewhat lower but has the same voltage output through the alternator into the battery. So, if you have good voltage, I wouldn't be to concerned with it. I figure it's just normal wear and tear on the gauge showing itself.

 

how do i check the voltage output? i do have a multimeter but its got so many symbols im unfamiliar with

this is the one i have
Innova/Auto-Ranging digital multimeter 3320 at AutoZone.com

 

one click right from off, check battery with engine off, check with engine idling and then check while bringing up the idle. Bat with engine off should be over 12 volts, idling higher and with rpms up even higher. If thats what happens all is well. My stock volt gauge was screwed up also as with most of them. I bought a digital volt gauge from amazon which is a lot more accurate

 

you can buy a external volt gauge if you want to me sure, my 1990 has never read right, as long as i see it jump up when its running i know its working, i think it shows about 12.5 while runnning. but test it under the hood and and its putting out 14