I have noticed that the voltmeter is always a line or two to the charge (right) side of center. I threw my multimeter on the battery while at idle and got 14.2 - 14.4 volts. Is this within spec? Same reading on the voltmeter and on the multimeter with a fully charged new battery. I want to make sure i don't have a regulator issue that is overcharging the battery.
I posted this question previously in my post on my old exploding Optima. Xcentric is the only one who responded, and he feels that this is too high a voltage output and that 13.1 volts or so is correct for a warmed up car. The workshop manual is not too much help - it says spec range is 13-15 volts. I believe voltage regulator is internal in the alternator, and a bear to remove the alternator. Before I start messing with this, any other thoughts on whether this voltage output is high enough to justify action?
I don't want to burn out/explo0de another battery, but I don't relish the steps described in the manual to remove the alternator!
Thanks,
Jim
I posted this question previously in my post on my old exploding Optima. Xcentric is the only one who responded, and he feels that this is too high a voltage output and that 13.1 volts or so is correct for a warmed up car. The workshop manual is not too much help - it says spec range is 13-15 volts. I believe voltage regulator is internal in the alternator, and a bear to remove the alternator. Before I start messing with this, any other thoughts on whether this voltage output is high enough to justify action?
I don't want to burn out/explo0de another battery, but I don't relish the steps described in the manual to remove the alternator!
Thanks,
Jim