Can a stuck regulator cause an alternator to overcharge?
The external regulator usually has three electromagnetic contact switches inside its housing that open and close. A stuck contact switch that refuses to disengage will cause an overcharging problem. The internal regulator, or “internally regulated” regulator, has been used as a replacement for older, externally mounted regulators.
What causes a car battery to overcharg?
Improperly jump-starting the vehicle can send a surge through the battery that destroys one or more cells in the battery or shorts it out. This surge disrupts the wiring in the alternator, causing an overcharging condition. Additionally, an incorrect replacement battery in the vehicle can cause an overcharging condition.
How does an alternator control the voltage of the battery?
Newer alternators have computer controlled regulating devices. One such design uses a “temperature compensated” computer sensor. The sensor dictates the amount of voltage an alternator puts out depending upon the temperature. Hot batteries demand less voltage, whereas cold batteries require more voltage.
Can a racing alternator be installed in a stock car?
High performance or racing alternators should not be installed on stock passenger vehicles. The external regulator, usually mounted on the engine firewall or fender well, supplies current to the internal rotor field coil inside the alternator. It regulates the amount of electricity that the alternator needs to perform at different speeds.
What happens if you have a bad alternator on a Honda Civic?
As described above, a bad alternator will drain your Civic’s battery fast. When the battery gets so dead it will no longer be able to power your Civic’s ignition system. As the ignition system is no longer able to produce a full powered spark, the engine will begin to sputter and stall.
What happens when an alternator overcharges the battery?
Battery. Alternators that overcharge will typically produce excess voltage to the battery, making the battery case swell up, become very hot and lose its electrolyte through boiling. Improperly jump-starting the vehicle can send a surge through the battery that destroys one or more cells in the battery or shorts it out.
What should the volts be on a Honda Civic?
With your Civic turned off, you’ll connect the negative side of the meter to the negative battery post or wire. You’ll then touch the positive side of the voltmeter to the positive battery wire. With the engine off, you should get a reading somewhere between 12.0 volts and 12.6 volts.
Improperly jump-starting the vehicle can send a surge through the battery that destroys one or more cells in the battery or shorts it out. This surge disrupts the wiring in the alternator, causing an overcharging condition. Additionally, an incorrect replacement battery in the vehicle can cause an overcharging condition.