Why is my car battery 17 volts?

It may be that the regulator is packing up and the alternator is going to max. unregulated output because of a bad battery output voltage (alternator input) connection between the battery and the alternator. I believe that there should be a fuse in that circuit.

What happens if the battery voltage is too high?

Higher than 15 volts indicates a fault in the charging system's voltage regulator or related circuits. If it's substantially excessive, this can cause electrical system and/or battery damage.

What is too much voltage for a car battery?

Any voltage above 12.9 volts is a good indicator that your battery has excessive voltage. If that's the case, turn on the high beams to drain excessive voltage surface charge. (Also, an excessive charge could mean that your alternator is to blame for an over charged battery.)

Is 16 volts too high?

For some alternators, it's normal to see as low as 13 volts. For some, a constant 13.6 volts is an indication of a problem. For others, it's normal to see as high as 16 volts for long stretches. Still, it's perfectly normal for others to see the alternator not charge at all intermittently.

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.

High Voltage - Hemi Alternator Overcharging Problem Fix by DIYHEMI

Why is my alternator putting out 17 volts?

It may be that the regulator is packing up and the alternator is going to max. unregulated output because of a bad battery output voltage (alternator input) connection between the battery and the alternator.

How do you tell if an alternator is overcharging?

Why is my car battery running high?

There are a few reasons that can cause your battery to have a high voltage. Your battery could have a loose connection. Loose connections disrupt the flow of electricity so your battery can either be improperly charged or improperly discharged.

Why is my alternator putting 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 voltage is a bad alternator?

If the voltage does not change when the engine is started, if it does not get above 13 volts, or if it charges above 15 volts then the alternator may be faulty. Tip: If the voltage is low, you can lightly wiggle the electrical connections on the back of the alternator to see if the voltage changes.

How do you tell if a battery is overcharged?

Use A Multimeter

When the vehicle is started, without the introduction of a load (the lights or air conditioner), the volts will usually rise to an average of 14 volts. If the multimeter reads at more than 14.8 volts, then this can be considered as overcharging.

Why is my battery voltage increasing?

In such cases after removal of a "heavy" load (the bulb) and replacing with a "light" load (the resistor) there will be a degree of "recovery" in the battery (it's a chemical process) and as it changes chemically inside the voltage will rise a little as experienced, 9.02, 9.04v etc.

Is 15v to high for an alternator?

So, to answer your question, Yes, 15 volts is too high. Most car alternators, that normally recharge your battery after every start, and provide power while the engine is running, are normally voltage regulated to about 13.8 to 14.0 volts.

How do I know if my alternator is bad?

How do I know if my alternator is draining my battery?

A battery test is easy to perform and can be done at home. First, open the hood and start the car. While the engine is running, remove the negative cable from the battery. If the vehicle stalls or dies, the alternator is likely bad.

What happens if car battery is overcharged?

Overcharging a battery causes excessive gassing — the electrolyte gets hot and both hydrogen and oxygen gas are generated. On older vented batteries, the electrolyte could cook away, leaving the plates exposed and ruining them. On sealed batteries, the buildup of gases could cause the battery to burst.

Is 14.7 volts too high?

14.8 would start to be a worry (there might be liquid or corrosion on the battery) and 15 volts would be a real concern, but 14.6 is fine. Less than 14.3 would be a "weak" alternator or regulator. Much less than 14.2 at a fast idle is bad wiring, bad alternator or regulator, or a bad connection or fuse link.

Can I drive with an overcharging alternator?

Driving with an overcharging alternator increases the risks of damage to the electrical components, primarily light bulbs, and the battery.

Why is my battery 16 volts?

A 16-volt battery adds in two additional cells for a full charge voltage of 16.8 volts (2.1 volts per cell). This additional voltage provides a cushion under the higher loads found in race competition.

What voltage is too high for a 12v battery?

An ammeter is a good test of the maximum charging voltage. If the battery current doesn't taper to zero, the voltage is too high. 14.2 is a voltage that will taper to zero and get a full charge into the battery. 13.6 is safe but won't charge the battery to full capacity.

How do I stop my battery from overcharging?

What should voltage be at idle?

Additionally, once the engine is running, the battery should be receiving a charge from the alternator. Because of this, the multimeter should read between 13.8 and 14.5 volts when the engine is at idle.