Everything Electrical & Electronic Have an electrical problem? Lighting, Alternators, gauges, DIC, HUD, etc? Post it here. Please post Audio problems in the Audio forum, and Engine control problems in the appropriate Mechanical forum for your year.

Too Much Voltage.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 04-20-2006, 11:48 PM
  #1  
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
BiG-MaTT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fairfield, TX
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BiG-MaTT is on a distinguished road
Default Too Much Voltage.

A few days ago my alternator went out. I had it replaced on 2 days ago. My car has been running like a dream since. But...Tonight I got in and the "Check Guage" light was on and my voltage was above the 14 hash mark just outside the red. This is the first time since the repair that this has happened. I have been watching the gauges like a hawk.
It will stay high for about a min, and then go to normal, and then high. WHAT IS GOING ON! Also, what happens if there is too much of a charge? I figure it can definitely fry some wires.
Old 04-20-2006, 11:51 PM
  #2  
BANNED
 
harofreak00's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Purgatory
Posts: 0
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
harofreak00 is on a distinguished road
Default

a little above 14v is fine.. you need to get the car scanned to see what the real problem was
Old 04-21-2006, 12:22 AM
  #3  
RIP
True Car Nut
 
Archon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2004
Location: Grand Rapids, Mi
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Archon is on a distinguished road
Default

Do you have a voltmeter that you can put across the battery terminals and read the voltage there to see if it does the same thing? It could be a gauge or a dash problem.

The voltage regulator inside the alternator senses the charge of the battery, and will adjust the voltage accordingly. The higher the voltage, the more the charge. Is your battery in good shape?

Haro'* right. A little over 14 isn't a problem. It shouldn't get much over 15, which will cause more problems with the battery than the wiring. Too much current through the battery will cause it to heat up internally eventually leading to failure.
Old 04-21-2006, 06:01 AM
  #4  
Senior Member
True Car Nut
 
markwb's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: Groton, CT _NEBF 05, 06, 07_
Posts: 2,703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
markwb is on a distinguished road
Default

Originally Posted by Archon
Haro'* right. A little over 14 isn't a problem. It shouldn't get much over 15, which will cause more problems with the battery than the wiring. Too much current through the battery will cause it to heat up internally eventually leading to failure.
True, if the battery is in an overcharge condition; that is a potentially dangerous situation. The voltage regulator inherently should limit voltage to prevent an over voltage condition. Follow Archons instructions, then post results.
Old 04-21-2006, 09:02 AM
  #5  
Senior Member
Posts like a Turbo
 
Red Rocket's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: Lancaster/Hatfield, PA
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Red Rocket is on a distinguished road
Default

Agreed with the others. I have a very loud audio system in my car and my voltage will fluctuate anywhere from 14-15.
Old 04-22-2006, 02:06 PM
  #6  
Member
Posts like a V-Tak
 
meechv's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: the rose city, OR
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
meechv is on a distinguished road
Default

I had the identical problem with my car a few months ago, the gauge would jump up and the CEL would come on, with a few *dings*. Turns out my rebuilt alternator had a bad voltage regulator. Take it out right away, take it to where you got it, and have them check it. It should show up when they put it on the machine.

They are right about running it in this state, you could easily roast your electrical system. Stop driving it right away and get it checked out.
Old 04-30-2006, 12:17 PM
  #7  
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
BiG-MaTT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fairfield, TX
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BiG-MaTT is on a distinguished road
Default

I took to my mechanic. He put it on the tester. And wouldn't you know it the damn thing ran perfect #'*. It seems to only do it for the first 5-10 min of driving. And sometimes not at all. He didn't think it was the alt. He said that the battery might have a bad cell. It is a Wally-World special so it is very possible. If it persists too long I am going to take it back to get tested again and try replacing the batt.

It is not getting into the red so I am not too worried.
Old 04-30-2006, 12:29 PM
  #8  
Senior Member
Certified Car Nut
 
J Wikoff's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 12,433
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts
J Wikoff is on a distinguished road
Default

Could a bad battery cause HIGH voltage?
Old 05-10-2006, 10:52 AM
  #9  
Junior Member
Posts like a V-Tak
Thread Starter
 
BiG-MaTT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Fairfield, TX
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
BiG-MaTT is on a distinguished road
Default

Whatever the problem was...it seems to have worked itself out. It started happening less and less, and hasn't happened at all for a few days now. Let'* hope this lasts!
Old 05-10-2006, 11:05 AM
  #10  
DINOSAURUS BOOSTUS

Expert Gearhead
 
BillBoost37's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Enfield, CT
Posts: 41,391
Likes: 0
Received 8 Likes on 8 Posts
BillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of lightBillBoost37 is a glorious beacon of light
Default

A bad cell in a battery would drop voltage.

Knowing how few battery makers there are, the wallyworld battery is probably not your issue.

I'd still think the regulator was wonky, or cabling...however the cables shouldn't cause you to run over either.


Quick Reply: Too Much Voltage.



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:47 AM.