help voltage problem!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 3
help voltage problem!!
Took vette out for a criuse today and check engine light and red light near battery volts came on...volts were up over 18 ...never happend before...I pulled car over ....volts went down to 11.5... red battery volts light is going on and off.....battery is a one year old delco....always runs near 13 volts....alternator is about 10 years old... what do you guys think it might be??? Thanks
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 54,124
Likes: 30
From: Cincinnati, Oh USA
You have a defective voltage regulator in the alternator. The voltage regulator attempts to maintain 14.7 volts output all the time. Over 16 volts and the regulator has failed. The cheapest fix is to replace the voltage regulator which is inside the alternator. If you don't want to tackle it, take your alternator to an auto electrical shop, they can replace it for a lot less than you can buy a rebuilt alternator!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 172
Likes: 3
Thank you guys for a quick response...I will have the alternator tested next weekend....should I have the voltage regulator fixed or just have the whole alternator rebuilt??? What are your thoughts???
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
You have a defective voltage regulator in the alternator. The voltage regulator attempts to maintain 14.7 volts output all the time. Over 16 volts and the regulator has failed. The cheapest fix is to replace the voltage regulator which is inside the alternator. If you don't want to tackle it, take your alternator to an auto electrical shop, they can replace it for a lot less than you can buy a rebuilt alternator!
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Advanced
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Spokane Washington
Took vette out for a criuse today and check engine light and red light near battery volts came on...volts were up over 18 ...never happend before...I pulled car over ....volts went down to 11.5... red battery volts light is going on and off.....battery is a one year old delco....always runs near 13 volts....alternator is about 10 years old... what do you guys think it might be??? Thanks
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Pro
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 635
Likes: 0
From: Cambria CA
Mine looks like the volts are a little low. When I'm cruising it will read about 14-16 but at idle.. its like 8... and the alternator makes this scratchy noise when I rev to 1500 rpms..so, looks like I need a new alternator? oh, at the beginning of this problem(Christmas..) the no-charge battery light was fading in and out.. but it went away that day and never came back...
My alternator is about 2 years old...
My alternator is about 2 years old...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 8,753
Likes: 9
From: Louisiana
That pic is with the key "on" and engine off. That is the battery volts and looks about right on the analog gauge. The digital gauge also has a volt readout that tells you exactly what voltage your battery or alternator is putting out. Not sure about the scratchy noise, but you can have the alternator tested.