car overcharging

[v2vera]

Good morning to all!

Hello my name is Victor and I am brand new to this forum. I recently bought an 83 buick Regal Limited with 52,000 original miles 🙂 very clean car no rips no tears. I do have a problem though. 🙁 The car has been running like a champ until Saturday when I noticed that the voltage shot up to the red at about 18V. I thought the alternator went bad so I removed it and had it checked at the local Autozone and they said it was good so I reinstalled it thinking maybe it was just a fluke. Today on the way to work It was running fine for about 15 minutes or so when it did it again once I pulled off the highway. What could cause this? Could it be the alternator works but goes bad once its hot or something? Any help will be appreciated.. Thanks in advance.

 

[pontiacgp]

I think the guy who checked it was wrong or the regulator was working when he tested it...it's the voltage regulator that's shot and it's not too difficult to change if your alternator is basically in good shape.

 

[v2vera]

Well the guy at the Autozone had it hooked up to the machine and I was standing next to him. He ran it like 5 times throught the machines cylce.. all 5 times machine tested alt, and regulator and it said passed. I let the car sit overnight and in the morning I took it off and took it in so it was cold thats why im getting this idea that its having problems once its used for a while and heats up. I can get an alternator here localy for 39.99 after the core charge so Im going to swap the whole thing out.. Im assuming the voltage regulator on this car is an internal part of the alternator correct?

 

[stomis]

Yep voltage regulator. Dont drive it cause you'll boil your battery over.

 

[pontiacgp]

Yep voltage regulator. Dont drive it cause you'll boil your battery over.

if you do drive it have all your accessories on

and yes the regulator is internal.....

 

[v2vera]

Thanks, I will do that tonight after work. .
Yea when that happens, i blast the a/c, turn up the stereo and amps, lights and ive been holding the window buttons down to suck more juice and it seems to get the voltage to where it needs to be, but as soon as I let go up the needle goes lol..I will let you guys now if this fixes it... Thanks again for your quick responses greatly appreciated!

 

[pontiacgp]

on a side note, that's a nice clean Buick with super low miles you got...

 

[v2vera]

Yea I had been looking for one for quite some time. I purchased it from an older lady in Surprise, AZ. Her husband was the original owner unfotunately he passed away. The car has been garaged for a few years now and it still has original EVERYTHING, original paint, vynil top all in great condition. I even have the manual, original sticker paper and receipt when originally purchased. When I did purchase it it was overheating just a little bit so I changed the thermostat, radiator, fan clutch and water pump and now runs like a dream. It has the 4.1L engine wich isnt all that great in pick up speed but once im on the highway im good to go 🙂

 

[pontiacgp]

cars aren't always about speed...it's what you want that matters most...

 

[v2vera]

I really love the car wish had a little more power though..im going to drive it till it dies then Ill look into swapping a higher HP engine in it..until then im gonna cruise it slow and grandma style lol

Just swapped out the alternator for another, now its time for dinner lol wifey is calling and cant get her mad or ill pay for it later. haha Ill post in the morning whenI get to work about the results..Im confident thats all it was.. Thanks again guys..