Volt meter issues, Solved Options

[PanelBilly]

My meter reads just under 12 volts when the engine is running. When I turn on any of the lights it pegs to the left. When I use a multimeter on the battery I get 13.67 volts at idle and just slightly under that when the lights go on.

Any ideas?

[Spoke]

My meter reads just under 12 volts when the engine is running.

I checked the volt gauge in the center console in my 914 with a VOM and found the gauge to be less than 0.1V different than the VOM. As mentioned above, put your VOM on the back of the volt gauge and check the gauge's accuracy.

The low reading shows how poorly the wiring/connections are performing in your 914. This could be wire resistance loss, ground and power connections.

One way to check where losses are occurring is to measure different points along the electrical system by measuring dc voltages with respect to chassis ground. Put the negative probe of your VOM on a chassis bolt not used for electrical connections and measure voltage between:

1) The chassis and the negative connection on your volt gauge. Should be 0V
2) The chassis and the positive connection on your volt gauge. Should be 14V
3) The chassis and various fuses including the headlight fuses. Should be 14V
4) The chassis and the negative post of the battery. Not the clamp; the post. Should be 0V