So today I noticed that my Voltometer shoots up to 16V under load. When idling, it's about 14ish volts, and I'm told that is the norm when idling. The most recent work I've done with the car, is install a new radiator, and install a new amp/sub, and change all the belts(smog/ac/ps/alt). The amp is hooked up to the positive battery terminal, and grounded to the chasis. Other than that I'm seriously stumped. Somebody please help me before I blow myself up, or blow my car's electrical system up.

PLEASE.

p.s. thanks in advance.

 

Make sure the small, two wire plug on the back of the alternator is connected.

You did not mention what series car, so there's no more advice from here. Except to say use a digital meter to check the voltage at the output terminal of the alternator to see what the voltage is there vs the voltage on the dash.

 

Series 5, non turbo. Sorry.

 

check alternator connections, then get an aftermarket voltmeter, this sounds fishy

 

I wouldnt drive it until you verify that its not putting out more than 12V-14V anything more than that can cause the battery to explode.

 

If the plug is off the back of the alternator, the voltage won't be regulated, so the volts will go sky high like you describe.

ON a series five, if you look into the JACK of the alternator, with the locking tab to the top as you look into it, the blade to your left should always see batt voltage from the PLUG that attaches to the alternator jack. So see if that wire is a constant batt voltage . Key does not have to be ON when doing that. No batt voltage to that wire.....then that wire is open somewhere.

On a S5 it should be a white wire with a blue stripe.