HELP!!!!!! Huge problem with alternator!!!!!!!!!

[chips2481]

I was coming home from work and I noticed that my volt meter was at almost 18v. Does this mean my alternator is going out? Today I had jump started my car with it today would that be the reason why? Please help I don't want my alternator to go out and be stranded.

 

[BrooklynBay]

Clean your battery cables. If you still have the same problem, then check your charging system. It's possible that it's either a bad connection or a bad regulator.

 

[shaggymane]

18v makes for some bright headlights! For a little while anyway

Is yours on the back of the altenator? $42 last time i priced one of those.

I called every junkyard within 40 miles. Found an altenator for $25 and they didn't want a core charge. Looked at the brushes in both, picked the best one to use with the volt reg. Now I have a spare alt with out a reg.

 

[BrooklynBay]

You might want to check a local rebuilder or WWW.Rockauto.Com.

 

[mrboyle]

You should have the charging system tested (including the battery). It is possible the battery is shorted internally and causing the alternator to full field. What ever you do, don't wait, the longer you run your X with the charging system at full field the more damage it will do to the rest of the electrical system.

 

[chips2481]

I had the alternator and battery tested and they told me it should be fine for now since it is only charging the battery at a max of 16v. I am going to go to the junk yard to pull the part later. Every morning the battery is dead now!! After I jump it it starts right up, could the regulator be draining the battery since it is bad?