Battery gauge fluttering slightly. Normal or start of a bad alternator?

[poppe]

Will take the truck in to get checked out but just curious if battery gauge fluttering is normal. It’s subtle. I’ve only had “dumb” cars who should either on or off never accurate on the fly readings. Feels like the start of the alternator.

If alternator is bad, is there any one I can get that improves it or stick with OEM?

Here is a short video

 

[bloc]

There are some hyper-expensive water cooled and sealed alternator options out of Australia impervious to mud and water.. but huge overkill for most people.

End of the day the vast majority of our alternators never have problems so simply replacing with factory is probably the best option.

 

[poppe]

There are some hyper-expensive water cooled and sealed alternator options out of Australia impervious to mud and water.. but huge overkill for most people.

End of the day the vast majority of our alternators never have problems so simply replacing with factory is probably the best option.

Copy that. Thank you.

 

[tbisaacs]

Will take the truck in to get checked out but just curious if battery gauge fluttering is normal. It’s subtle. I’ve only had “dumb” cars who should either on or off never accurate on the fly readings. Feels like the start of the alternator.

If alternator is bad, is there any one I can get that improves it or stick with OEM?

Here is a short video

Normal

 

[LWA55DAL]

Please keep in mind that the OEM alternators can have the brushes replaced. They are a $15 part and the install is rather simple except you do have to pull the power steering pump to gain access to the alternator. If you don’t have a bearing noise or other issue with the alternator - try the brushes. I have 200k on my 2011 200 and have replaced the brushes twice on a preventative basis and running strong. Whatever you do - don’t get a non OEM version as they typically don’t have the ability to change the brushes. Denso makes the OEM alternator and you can get them on Amazon if you go that route.

 

[stonepa]

Wait - why are talking about replacing what appears to be totally normal behavior for an alternator?

 

[poppe]

Wait - why are talking about replacing what appears to be totally normal behavior for an alternator?

Im
Asking if it is normal. On the LX Facebook group, a few said normal and a few said theirs did the same thing before it went bad about a month later. So I don’t have a consensus really.

With that said, tested battery, and o’Reilly’s said it was still with in spec but on low end and probably will need replacing soon.

I’m also new to “fancy” vehicles. The fanciest vehicle I’ve had before either doesn’t have a battery gauge or was my 2002 mustang which was basically on or off with its gauges and didn’t vary.

 

[poppe]

Please keep in mind that the OEM alternators can have the brushes replaced. They are a $15 part and the install is rather simple except you do have to pull the power steering pump to gain access to the alternator. If you don’t have a bearing noise or other issue with the alternator - try the brushes. I have 200k on my 2011 200 and have replaced the brushes twice on a preventative basis and running strong. Whatever you do - don’t get a non OEM version as they typically don’t have the ability to change the brushes. Denso makes the OEM alternator and you can get them on Amazon if you go that route.

Copy that. Thanks.