If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty . Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.
Can a bad ground cause an alternator to overcharge?
Make sure you check your grounds. A poor ground can result in overcharging and other nutty electrical problems .
What causes an alternator to put out too much voltage?
If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty . Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.
What are the symptoms of an overcharging alternator?
- Car Battery Voltage Gauge Reading is High. You notice a high voltage reading on your cars vehicle's dashboard. ...
- Car Battery Gets Hot When Charging. ...
- Your Headlights Burn Out Quickly. ...
- Your Car Battery is Bulging on Sides.
Why is my alternator putting out 18 volts?
18 volts is a bit high . It is possible that your rebuilt alternator has a faulty regulator.
Is 17 volts too high for alternator?
17V is too high for any 12 V battery . 17 volts is just about max unregulated output on a 12 volt alternator so I would suspect that the voltage regulator is defective or somehow not working correctly. To put things in less dramatic terms.
How many volts should my alternator be putting out?
The voltage should read a minimum of 13 volts. A good alternator should put out between ** 13.5-14.5 volts . Stress test the alternator – Place a load on the alternator by turning on the headlights, the radio and the air conditioning. The voltage should remain high with these circuits on.
Is 15 volts too high for alternator?
To answer your question, yes, 15 volts is too high . Most car alternators that charge your battery after every start and provide power while the engine is running are usually regulated to between 13 and 14.0 volts.
Can a bad ground Cause High voltage?
Poor computer and/or sensor grounds can cause higher-than-normal sensor voltages and false trouble codes. In many cases, the bad ground prevents the computer or sensor from pulling a voltage signal down to or near ground zero.
What stops the alternator from overcharging the battery?
A voltage regulator is usually part of the alternator, and is used to keep a steady flow of voltage to the battery. If the voltage regulator is defective, it will send either too little or too much charge to the battery.
What are signs of a bad voltage regulator?
- Dim or flickering gauges. One of the first symptoms of an issue with the voltage regulator is dim or flickering gauges. ...
- Inaccurate or erratic readings. ...
- Inoperable instrument cluster.
Is there a code for a bad alternator?
If you find code P0562 , you very likely have a failing alternator (note that codes may vary by vehicle make/model/year). Get it checked out before it fails entirely. If you suspect a failing alternator but don't have a warning light, pop the hood and check the condition of the belt.
What happens when an alternator is overloaded?
If an alternator is overloaded the voltage will start to collapse to maintain a constant max. current . The question is can the alternator supply this max. current indefinitely or is an alternator rated below it's max.
Is the regulator in the alternator?
Basically, the voltage regulator controls field current through the rotor , inside the alternator, in order to control alternator output. ... The voltage regulator is usually found inside or on the back of the alternator case.
Where is the voltage regulator on an alternator?
Locate the voltage regulator. It's usually positioned above, or on the side of the alternator . It has a single rectangular plastic socket on the back which a plug containing four wires goes into.
What causes an alternator to overheat?
Over Heating : Heat is a major cause of failure in alternators. ... Also, if the battery does not hold a charge of 12.4 volts or more, the alternator will constantly try to recharge a depleted battery. This constant charging can cause an alternator to overheat.
