95 T-Bird LX 4.6 w 4 speed automatic. voltmeter in dash goes negative for
5 - 10 seconds after shifting into reverse ?

First time I saw this was tonight after a 100 mile round trip backing car up
to get it into garage.

Trans fluid / filter replaced about 5k miles ago. prior to that about 30k
miles.

Anyone seen this before ?

Battery is about 1 year old. Connections at battery are clean and tight.



Steve

"Steve Stone" <zzspfleck (AT) citlink (DOT) netzz> wrote:

What do you mean negative? Do you mean it drops below 0?

--
Yeh, I'm a Krusty old Geezer, putting up with my 'smartass' is the price
you pay..DEAL with it!

During normal operation the in dash voltmeter needle is dead center in the
gauge.

When shifting into reverse the needle deflects to the left of "normal", or
negatively (less voltage) compared to "normal"

I'll put my fluke meter on it this morning and see what the reading is in
terms of VDC.

..

Steve Stone wrote:

It happens all the time. The car was originally in Park and charging the
battery with engine RPM above 500, which is roughly 1,000 alternator
RPM. When a load was put on the engine by shifting out of Park into
Reverse, a sudden load was put on the engine, slowing it to below 500
RPM. Below 1,000 alternator RPM, most alternators won't "excite" and
produce current, and the system is then on battery power momentarily. A
fully charged battery is about 12.7 volts, while a normally operating
and well-regulated alternator will run in the range of 13.5~14.5 volts.
It does sound as if your IAC valve is getting sluggish and needs
cleaning/replacement, to respond to engine loading faster than 5-10
seconds.

I tried it this morning. The problem I described did not happen before or
after a 12 mile round trip. Will have to keep an eye on it.