volt meter reading high

[BOL]

So in the on position it reads 10 or so. But when I start it it reads pretty high. More than in the middle. The needle is also twitching. I also noticed fluid coming out of my battery as if it were being over charched. The alternator is one year old. Is it bad already?

 

[kcm1582]

Are you using an analog meter? Try a digital one, they are much more accurate. You should see about 12v with the ignition off. After starting the engine that reading should go up to around 14v. Try that and post your results.

 

[igiveup]

Hello

With the key off your battery should be 12.6 volts or higher (2.2 volts per cell). Start the engine and see what the battery is at. If at idle you are over 14-14.5 volts you could have a bad regulator. My G2 on mt T-Bird 14 volts at 1500 + rpm and my G3 on my 88 Stang is 13 + volts at idle. On my T-Bird my battery kept boiling over with 2 different alt. I put an other battery in and no more problem, It could of had a bad cell in it.

igiveup

 

[dennis461]

Voltage regulator built into the alternator is bad.
The voltage regulator is stuck full on.
It has a built in current limit which causes the twitching.

bad news,

The part is $50.

 

[snoman6115]

no good news the part is ONLY $50 a new alt is over $100 otehr comp parts $200 and up ide say ur kinda lucky its only $50 lol

 

[BOL]

So new alternator, Huh?