I have had this problem for a while and maybe someone can help out....the volt gauge reads really low, about at the top of the red zone. The battery checks fine and so does the alternator, they are putting out the correct voltage( I actually got a new alternator to fix the problem but it read a little higher but still very low). My windows are sluggish and the radio doesn't pick up very well like it is low on power but I have thought that it is the gauge but it does read even when you cut something on you can the gauge move accordingly. Is there any other device between the battery and alternator that could affect the dash reading or should I go ahead with a new gauge?

 

How does the battery check fine ?
How does the alternator check fine ?

What did you measure ?

 

the window may have a problem, check for a bad ground, check with a meter and see what you have at your window motor

 

Check the voltage at the fusebox or somewhere convenient like that... if it still reads 13 volts or so at an ignition terminal with the car running, then your gauge is fornicated. If it reads real low like your dash gauge does, then there's a problem, probably a high resistance in the battery feed into the pass compartment; a bad connection, wire replaced by somebody with a piece that's too small somewhere, etc.

 

I checked the voltages on the battery and alternator with a meter at the terminals and they read somewhere between 13-14 volts, but I will check the other things mentioned by RB and see what I get, no wires have been messed with so I know that to not be a problem I just don't want to replace the meter until I know that it is the problem. Thanks Guys!!

 

Ok, I have looked around under the hood and I did find one thing....There is a ground strap just behind the distibutor on the left (passenger side) attached to the fire wall and it is dangling not attached to anything. If I remember correctly from one of my transmission removal sessions shouldn't that be attached to one of the tranny to engine bolts? If so then it has gotten broken in one of those removals and I am not sure that it will affect the meter reading anyway. I'll keep looking.

 

Found the problem.....bad connection on the the instument cluster!! So simple!