Battery overcharging =(

MR2 Drifter · 05-22-2009, 10:59 PM

So my battery light started going on recently and my volt gauge goes way past the 18 max line

it only goes on when I cold start it or when its in gear driving

I checked the terminals and they were dirty so i cleaned them but I guess that wasn't the problem

My only other guess is the alternator is messed up and its overcharging the battery

What do you guys think? (I don't know crap about alternators)

ebouwman · 05-22-2009, 11:55 PM

There's another part called the voltage regulator, it's related to the alternator, i don't know weather it's built in or not, but i'm pretty sure it's a separate part.

Maybe try to run as much electric stuff as possible so you don't totally kill it until you get it fixed, but somehow i don't think you should be driving it if it's really overcharging badly

PS my alternator knowledge is limited also so ya....

fvillota · 05-23-2009, 02:03 AM

the voltage reg. is in the alternator but you can have it changed.

HeartbreakMR2 · 05-23-2009, 11:19 AM

+1 sounds like regulator

GINA2MR2 · 05-23-2009, 09:16 PM

dude mine JUST did that and i removed the alternator and it was junk. BUT my negative post cracked and was leaking acid.. soo that didnt help.

GENESIS · 05-24-2009, 03:44 AM

i had that same problem with my old mk1 it would sometimes show in the gauge that its overcharging and the cluster lights and head light would get really bright for a short amount of time then go back to normal,some weird voltage spike

TomsMR2 · 05-26-2009, 04:14 AM

woah, you got the mk1 alternator failure!

5sfes usually undercharge when they die.

DO NOT drive the car! you'll cook things.. like ecus and expensive parts you really dont want to be replacing. you can toss a new regulator on the alternator without much fuss, but id get a whole new reman with a lifetime warranty.

Primera · 05-28-2009, 12:40 AM

I had this problem once in my Honda accord though, it was funny my guages were soo much brighter. I turned on my headlights and it almost seemed like they were my brights. Then out of curiosity I tried my brights. They were hella bright for the 2 seconds they lasted! Yeah voltage regulator in your alt. can have that effect

05-22-2009, 10:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
MR2 Drifter No Drifting Skills Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Chicago Posts: 956 Thanks: 3 Thanked 16 Times in 16 Posts iTrader Rating: (2/100% )	Battery overcharging =( So my battery light started going on recently and my volt gauge goes way past the 18 max line it only goes on when I cold start it or when its in gear driving I checked the terminals and they were dirty so i cleaned them but I guess that wasn't the problem My only other guess is the alternator is messed up and its overcharging the battery What do you guys think? (I don't know crap about alternators)

05-22-2009, 11:55 PM	#2 (permalink)
ebouwman Curve Hugger Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: BC, Canada Posts: 1,391 Thanks: 18 Thanked 48 Times in 48 Posts My Google Map iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	There's another part called the voltage regulator, it's related to the alternator, i don't know weather it's built in or not, but i'm pretty sure it's a separate part. Maybe try to run as much electric stuff as possible so you don't totally kill it until you get it fixed, but somehow i don't think you should be driving it if it's really overcharging badly PS my alternator knowledge is limited also so ya.... Last edited by ebouwman; 05-23-2009 at 12:02 AM.

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

05-23-2009, 02:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
fvillota Cage Fighter Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: MIami Posts: 1,832 Thanks: 65 Thanked 28 Times in 28 Posts iTrader Rating: (6/100% )	the voltage reg. is in the alternator but you can have it changed.

05-23-2009, 11:19 AM	#4 (permalink)
HeartbreakMR2 Cage Fighter Join Date: May 2008 Location: Clarksville,TN Posts: 214 Thanks: 12 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	+1 sounds like regulator

05-23-2009, 09:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
GINA2MR2 Not A VR6 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: J-Town Posts: 329 Thanks: 3 Thanked 7 Times in 7 Posts iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	dude mine JUST did that and i removed the alternator and it was junk. BUT my negative post cracked and was leaking acid.. soo that didnt help.

05-24-2009, 03:44 AM	#6 (permalink)
GENESIS Defender Of The MR2 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: dublin,ca Posts: 166 Thanks: 3 Thanked 6 Times in 7 Posts iTrader Rating: (1/100% )	i had that same problem with my old mk1 it would sometimes show in the gauge that its overcharging and the cluster lights and head light would get really bright for a short amount of time then go back to normal,some weird voltage spike

05-26-2009, 04:14 AM	#7 (permalink)
TomsMR2 Formerly Tom Brokaw Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Bay Area Posts: 2,497 Thanks: 8 Thanked 233 Times in 168 Posts Blog Entries: 1 iTrader Rating: (0/0% )	woah, you got the mk1 alternator failure! 5sfes usually undercharge when they die. DO NOT drive the car! you'll cook things.. like ecus and expensive parts you really dont want to be replacing. you can toss a new regulator on the alternator without much fuss, but id get a whole new reman with a lifetime warranty.

05-28-2009, 12:40 AM	#8 (permalink)
Primera Cage Fighter Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Mohave Valley, AZ Posts: 105 Thanks: 15 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts iTrader Rating: (3/100% )	I had this problem once in my Honda accord though, it was funny my guages were soo much brighter. I turned on my headlights and it almost seemed like they were my brights. Then out of curiosity I tried my brights. They were hella bright for the 2 seconds they lasted! Yeah voltage regulator in your alt. can have that effect