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.

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.

What causes an alternator to put out high 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.

Why is my car battery 17 volts?

Check your voltage meter to be sure that it is functioning properly and is set to the right scale. 17 volts is getting into the danger zone for the electronics. If it turns out that it is running at 17 volts, get the battery tested.

Why is my alternator putting out 16 volts?

When the engine is running and the battery is charging you may measure up about 14V. If you are measuring 16 V with engine running and the battery indicator on the dash is on, you may have a faulty regulator . You need to check that as it could cause the battery to overcharge .

How do I stop my alternator from overcharging?

Temporarily, the problem can be fixed by manually cutting the small positive wire that supplies power to the field windings of the alternator…. By putting a switch in between to interrupt the over charging…. Every so often to avoid damaging the battery ……

Why is my alternator overcharging?

Improperly jump-starting the vehicle can send a surge through the battery that destroys one or more cells in the battery or shorts it out. This surge disrupts the wiring in the alternator, causing an overcharging condition.

Is 16 volts too high for an alternator?

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.

What happens if voltage is too high?

Voltage that is too high can cause premature failure of electrical and electronic components (e.g. circuit boards) due to overheating. The damage caused by overheating is cumulative and irreversible.

What causes high charging voltage?

A stuck closed voltage regulator typically causes high charging system voltage. Voltage regulators adjust output voltage according to the demands of the electrical system. In late-model vehicles, this is accomplished through a sensing circuit that informs the PCM of battery temperature and electrical system demands.

How can you tell if your alternator is bad?

7 Signs of a Failing Alternator

1. Dim or Overly Bright Lights.
2. Dead Battery.
3. Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories.
4. Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling.
5. Growling or Whining Noises.
6. Smell of Burning Rubber or Wires.
7. Battery Warning Light on Dash.

What voltage should a new alternator put out?

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.

What does battery voltage abnormal mean?

Abnormal Voltage Gap means that the voltage gap of the battery pack has exceeded the acceptable range.In the battery pack, it can be seen that the voltage of one of the cells is different from the other two.

Can you adjust alternator voltage?

The voltage can be adjusted by altering the resistors, if required, for different alternators or battery types.

Is 16 volts too high for a car battery?

Car Battery Voltage Too High When Running
A fully charged battery will generally display between 12.6 and 12.8 volts on a voltmeter. If the voltage on your voltmeter is between 12.4 and 12.8, your battery is in good health.

Is 15 volts too high for alternator?

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. You mentioned your voltmeter runs at about 15 volts most of the time.

How do I test my alternator for overcharging?

You can test to see if the alternator is overcharging, using a simple voltmeter.

1. Start your vehicle and open the hood.
2. Locate the vehicle’s battery.
3. Turn the digital voltmeter on and adjust it to the proper settings, if necessary.
4. Connect the clamps or leads of the voltmeter to the battery.
5. Examine the voltmeter.

Does an overcharging alternator need to be replaced?

If your battery keeps overcharging then it’s the alternator’s problem, if it’s a stock alternator, it should be eligible for the manufacturer’s usual 5 year warranty. If it’s aftermarket, then it’s the wrong one.

Is 13.6 volts good for alternator?

A good alternator should maintain battery voltage between 13.9 and 14.8 volts (14.2 is optimum). Even worst-case, with all accessories turned on, there should be at least 13 volts at the battery.

How do you handle high voltage?

Be sure to carefully observe the following safety precautions.

1. Always connect a ground wire.
2. Do not touch high voltage areas.
3. Cover high voltage areas.
4. Share an awareness of danger.
5. Perform operations with your right hand.
6. Turn off the power before touching equipment.
7. Pay attention to electric charge in cables.

What should be done if the line voltage is too high before start up?

If the voltage is too high (greater than 10%) contact the local power supplier they should be able to adjust the incoming power supply. Electrical work should always be done by a licensed electrician. Be sure to follow all safety precautions and to always do electrical work according to National Electric code.