check gauges

[riverfever]

The 2001 had the check gauges light come on last night and the volt gauge spiked to 19. I pulled over, put it in P and right away the gauge went back to normal and the light went out. Gauge and light came back on shortly after I was driving again. Both went out again when I pulled over a second time. This morning I went out to start it and it cranks fine but wont catch unless it has WOT and then it's fine (idles like it should).

I got no CEL and my scanner confirms there were no codes thrown. Battery tests fine as far as volts are concerned. It's rated at 630 CCA's and it's at 694 so that seems fine. Cables were corroded so I'm going to clean them up. I'm also going to remove a bit of paint from the fender, firewall area grounds and treat those with a dab of di-electric grease. I'll look at the ground on the head. Alternator connections look good. I know I could have the alt bench tested but I just think bench tests are so random that it's hit or miss but I may do it anyways although I have a hard time believing that a faulty alt would not allow it to start after confirming that the battery is good.

I was thinking voltage regulator but after searching archived threads, many are saying that the VR is actually contained in the PCM which seems strange. Can anyone confirm this?

Also...I considered removing the gauge cluster and cleaning the contact points to rule out a faulty volt gauge but the fact that it wouldn't start leads me to belive that I'm not dealing with a gauge issue.

Any ideas?

[ColoradoRaptor]

The 2001 had the check gauges light come on last night and the volt gauge spiked to 19. I pulled over, put it in P and right away the gauge went back to normal and the light went out. Gauge and light came back on shortly after I was driving again. Both went out again when I pulled over a second time. This morning I went out to start it and it cranks fine but wont catch unless it has WOT and then it's fine (idles like it should).

I got no CEL and my scanner confirms there were no codes thrown. Battery tests fine as far as volts are concerned. It's rated at 630 CCA's and it's at 694 so that seems fine. Cables were corroded so I'm going to clean them up. I'm also going to remove a bit of paint from the fender, firewall area grounds and treat those with a dab of di-electric grease. I'll look at the ground on the head. Alternator connections look good. I know I could have the alt bench tested but I just think bench tests are so random that it's hit or miss but I may do it anyways although I have a hard time believing that a faulty alt would not allow it to start after confirming that the battery is good.

I was thinking voltage regulator but after searching archived threads, many are saying that the VR is actually contained in the PCM which seems strange. Can anyone confirm this?

Also...I considered removing the gauge cluster and cleaning the contact points to rule out a faulty volt gauge but the fact that it wouldn't start leads me to belive that I'm not dealing with a gauge issue.

Any ideas?

Had the exact same issue in my 00 and it had me stumped for over a month... Yes, your ECM controls voltage and that is most likely NOT the culprit! My problem turned out to be the GROUND from the block where the alt connection is at that goes to the body right by the battery!!!! I replaced the cable, cleaned the connections and shazaaaammm no more problem!! Hope this helps!! Oh, I loves the fishes too.......just not the same fishes as you river:D

[riverfever]

I cleaned everything up like I said and it's been fine so far. We'll see. Thanks.