Alternator voltage too high?

[Dustin Gebhardt]

How much voltage is too much? My voltage measured across the battery terminals while my '07 is idling is between 16VCD and 17VDC. This is measured using a Fluke model 111 digital multimeter. If I check the battery in the morning after sitting all night, it reads a normal 11.5VDC (its an O'reilly SuperStart Platinum AGM). I haven't noticed any issues, but I'm sure the higher voltage isn't great for the battery, and I hope that there are no electronics that are sensitive to an extra 15-20% voltage.

 

[TobyU]

How much voltage is too much? My voltage measured across the battery terminals while my '07 is idling is between 16VCD and 17VDC. This is measured using a Fluke model 111 digital multimeter. If I check the battery in the morning after sitting all night, it reads a normal 11.5VDC (its an O'reilly SuperStart Platinum AGM). I haven't noticed any issues, but I'm sure the higher voltage isn't great for the battery, and I hope that there are no electronics that are sensitive to an extra 15-20% voltage.

Odd. A battery sitting all night should not be at 11.5. That is too low.
12.2-12.5 is more like it.
Running is normally 14.2-14.8.
Try another meter.
My Town Cars will turn the dash and radio off if the voltage gets above 16 or so.

 

[Don Hall]

Have the alternator load tested at AutoZone, etc. (free). May need a new regulator (?).