18.3 volts from alternator

[greasyF250]

I was checking the glow plug relay and was getting 14.5 volts at the yellow -brown wired terminal. Checked the battery voltage at 14.5 WTF. The batteries are only one month old but 14.5 is too high . Started the truck and the voltage after the gpr shut off climbed to 18.3 volts. Is this telling me that the voltage reg. is bad? Is it also integrated into the alternator?

[ianstew]

yikes, 18??? seems a little high to me.....

[greasyF250]

A month ago when I put in the new batteries , it read 14.65 volts at idle. Bad alternator at 18.3 ?

[md18]

Well, obviously you have a good alternator if it can charge at 18.3, however you do have a bad voltage regulator which might be replaceable but I've never done it I usually just change the whole thing. Is is in the alternator somewhere though. Don't run the truck until you get it fixed though, you are risking frying a lot of expensive computers.

[md18]

Oh, and 14.65v is a little high but nothing I'd be that concerned about. Ford alternators tend to charge a little high. I'd say 13.5 to 14.5 is the usual range for alternators though.

edit:
The voltage regulator is replaceable but you'll have to take the rear case off of the alternator to get to it. If you have an alternator shop around you I'm sure they could replace it for you for a small fee.

[greasyF250]

Thanks for all the info , never thought about the computers.

[NCHornet]

Something ain't right!!! I would first double check it with a different multi meter. If it is bad call DB Electrical, best alt you can buy!!!

NCH

[greasyF250]

Originally Posted by NCHornet

Something ain't right!!! I would first double check it with a different multi meter. If it is bad call DB Electrical, best alt you can buy!!!

NCH

Couldn't believe it myself , I used 2 different multimeters , same results