'97 Contour overcharging....

[sstocker31]

I have the opposite problem of most here....the thing is overcharging 15.9-16.1 volts. Is that normal for these cars, I'm used to seeing about 13.5-14.3 volts.

I just replaced the battery, doing some maintenance for a neighbor,and discovered this after the install of the battery. If it's not normal, is there a separate voltage regulator, or is it internal to the alternator, and where abouts would I find the regulator.

Any help is appreciated.

[MagicRat]

It's definitely overcharging, as you suspect. The regulator is in the alternator, so you need a new or rebuilt alternator, or get a new regulator and install it yourself. Rockauto.com sells them for about $30 plus shipping.

Don't drive the car, not even for a little bit, until you get this done. An overcharged battery is hazardous.

[aleekat]

Voltmeter or dash gauge? If voltmeter, check it again with another one. Had a voltmeter go bad and show 18v when charging. Took me a little time to figure out the voltmeter was bad.

[sstocker31]

Thats a good idea....I'll check it against my truck and the wifes suv to see if its working properly, Thanks

Thanks also for the info about the internal regulator, at least I won't have to go searching for it.

[sstocker31]

just to finish up... I checked my voltmeter on my truck and got 18V charging I sure didn't like that so I rummaged around in my tool box until I found my really old voltmeter (The kind with a scale) and it showed 13.5 V charging.
Went and bought a new voltmeter today and shitcanned the other one.

Thanks for making me check that voltmeter.

[aleekat]

Like I posted, took me awhile to figure out mine was bad.