My battery and park light came on last saturday after an injen intake and intercooler piping install. I have had no problems with the car at all and decided to check it out today in my auto class at college. I searched on evom and found out those lights on the dash mean the alternator is out. I did a voltage test and found without the car running it was about 13 volts (normal) but then when I turned the car on, it spiked to about 16 volts! So, I just wanted to confirm that this was my alternator needing replacement. This car is my daily and I probably wont be able to get a new one installed until about a week. I talked to a guy at a mechanics garage and he said that if the alternator continues to put that much power on the battery it will either 1) destroy the battery internally or 2) physically blow up the battery causing a mess.

Has anyone had any similar experiences with this situation???

Thanks,
Marc

 

when those two lights come on it's the alternator

you are correct

 

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/ev...-cruising.html

 

Ok, do you really think my battery will blow? lol. Like I said I wont be able to change it till a week and I drive it everyday. I haven't had any problems starting it up or anything. I just try to use as little electronics as possible in it and turn off everything I dont need. I figure my worst case scenario is that my battery dies out from the abuse.

 

When the car is running, it should be at a higher voltage. This allows the charging system to function, it should rest around 14.5 volts if I remember correctly. A voltage spike of 16 volts, by spike I mean brief, should be acceptable.

 

Otherwise it was around mid to high 15's voltage wise though consistently when it was running

I think im going to double check the volts tomorrow at autozone or something tomorrow and let the car idle for a couple minutes.

Is their any ideal range I should be looking at when judging the voltage when revving the car to 2 or 3 thousand rpms?

 

Something with my voltage regulator must be messed up for it to be overcharging my battery. Is the voltage regulator inside the alternator?

 

Yes

 

It is inside the alternator, I had mine go out a few months ago but in my case it wasnt putting out enough voltage. Your car should be around 14.5 v throught out the entire rpm range, a brief spike upon start up or engagement of the ac clutch is fine but it shouldnt hold 16 volts all the time.

 

same problem...
my battery light, ABS brake Light and all three of my sensor lights for tarmac, gravel and snow come on and i get a reading for 16 for my voltage?

what should i do?

 

16 volts is too high. However, the regulator varies the voltage with temperature. When it is very cold the normal voltage can be as high 15.4 volts. So, if you took the measurement on a cold day, how accurate is your meter? On a warm day anything above 14.5 volts is too high.

In answer to your question, have the alternator repaired or replaced. I much prefer repaired. I have had poor luck with rebuilds.

As for DIY alternator removal, I have never had mine off of the car. The service manual makes it look like a big job.

 

I had this happen to one of my vr4's. I was driving and I noticed my voltage started going up almost to 18 I turned every accessorie on (wipers, lights, etc..) trying to drop it alittle just to make it home. It was the voltage regulator in the alt. I took apart my alternator myself and fixed it but it only lasted about a month. I would say just get a new alternator from an auto parts store. I wouldn't risk driving around with the regulator blown as you damage other electronics and your ecu.

 

Yes! My friends hondas alternator went out and his battery bulged out on every side, it was almost completely round. Steam/gases/fluid was spewing out everywhere. So I wouldnt drive it much until you get it fixed

 

ok thanks. Seems very weird for it to go out all of a sudden. But thanks for everyones comments, im getting it replaced on thursday. I cant wait to drive it after a week of collecting dust in my garage. haha

 

This happened on my 3000gt and the battery did explode when I tried to start it up after a good drive... And it was a huge mess.