I jump started my friends car with my car and I found out his car had a short in it somewhere after I had jumped it. When I was on my way home the lights would get real bright and I would get 16 volts when I was pressing on the gas, but when I would let off the gas it would go to 12 volts and the lights would be real dim. But now only my parking lights work and the headlights wont turn on. What can I do to fix this? Thanks.

 

With 16 Volts you may have either burned out the switch or the lights.

You will need to check both.

Chances are you have damaged your voltage regulator which is built into the alt. You may need to re-build or replace the Alt.

 

Stand by, the ECU will fry if it gets more than 15.5 volts

 

Well the ECU actually runs at 5 volts on the board, but yes you can smoke some of the voltage control circuit.

 

I did this recently. My alternator was pumping out high voltages intermittantly. Finally burned both headlight bulbs and I got a new alternator. Problem fixed.

Cory

 

be careful the battery may explode. check the vents if it is a sealed battery (they might pop out)