Voltage

How many volts are diplayed in your Driver Information Control center.

My Father's 00 LeSabre shows 14 to 15.0 volts when running.

It's been like that almost forever but questioned it when I noticed how many interior lights are burnt out. Most every bulb in the radio and the steering wheel controls.

I have 00 Park Avenue. I'm 12.9 to 14.0. Every bulb in this car works.

Sir,

I would not consider the panel voltmeter to be very accurate. However, since you have some burned out bulbs, there is a possibility that the volt reg is defective. Best to get an accurate digital (or analog) voltmater and measure the voltage, both in your car and the other. Measure the voltage at the battery terminals. Now you will have something certain and can act on the information.

Regards,
Jack C.

I agree that a multi meter right off the battery will tell whole storey.

Now that you mentioned it. I will probably check mine for curiousity sake soon.

My Father lives far away and checking the battery under the rear seat is way over his head.

More of less just wondering if this is common on those models. Usually problems will repeat on the same cars.

Is it a Voltmeter or is it in the DIC?

Generally the newer style alternator like the Delphi will run 14.0-14.5 at all times..

I have this Alternator on my newer Bonneville and used the same alternator on my Vans 3800 series III transplant... It too puts out 14.0-14.5 volts all of the time..

Mine normally runs 14.5-15 volts. Verified with a Fluke digital multimeter. The DIC reading appears to be accurate to within 0.2 volts. FWIW: this voltage is within but at the high end of the range specified in the FSM, although it may be a wee bit higher than optimum for lamp life.

The lamps behind the switches in the steering wheel, radio, heater, etc. in my car started to fail at about 40K miles, and over 50% were burned out by 80K miles. Tail, side marker, and other exterior bulbs have burned out a bit more frequently than I expected as well. Except for lamp life, the slightly high voltage will mean the lamps are a bit brighter, not all bad. To me at least, the cost of a replacement alternator is more than the value of lost lamp life, if you DIY replacement. The time to catch this is while the car is still under warranty.

It is possible to replace them if you are handy with a fine tip soldering iron and at working on car instrument panels, trim, and electronics. I have used #8111 bulbs 9a T1 lamp with wire leads) and replaced ALL within a component when I replaced them. The lamp is rated for 10,000 hours at 14 volts, and should be good for perhaps 4000 hours at 15 volts. (A 12 volt lamp will burn out fast at 15 volts.) I suspect the total is close to 40 lamps.