high voltage issue 98 lesabre

[kmart2026]

Just noticed this the last few days, My 98 lesabre (184k) is charging at15 Volts, I haven't gotten to putting a multimeter on it yet, might be able to after work today if I still have light. I know this is usually a sign of a bad or going alternator. there is also rattling noise coming from that area off and on the last week or so. Upon starting the car the voltage starts low then goes up to 14-15, but it has done that for a long time now. I've put 110K on this car and haven't done the alternator yet. so does it sound like its time to do that?

 

[2000ltd]

Just noticed this the last few days, My 98 lesabre (184k) is charging at15 Volts, I haven't gotten to putting a multimeter on it yet, might be able to after work today if I still have light. I know this is usually a sign of a bad or going alternator. there is also rattling noise coming from that area off and on the last week or so. Upon starting the car the voltage starts low then goes up to 14-15, but it has done that for a long time now. I've put 110K on this car and haven't done the alternator yet. so does it sound like its time to do that?

I'd say to replace the voltage regulator but the bearing is also possibly bad. If you can confirm the noise is coming from the alternator than you can replace alternator. Otherwise just do the voltage regulator.

 

[kmart2026]

its either the alternator or the tensioner, but from this I believe its the Alternator

 

[2000ltd]

its either the alternator or the tensioner, but from this I believe its the Alternator

Did you try taking the belt off and check the pulleys?

 

[kmart2026]

Did you try taking the belt off and check the pulleys?

I haven't done that yet, probably going to be a weekend project

 

[02LTD2.0]

To charge between 14 and 15 volts is normal.
Your next step should be to have the battery load tested at AutoZone or O'Reilly's.
My 2002 routinely starts charging between 14.8 and 15 volts but settles down to high 13 volts after driving for a while.
I also agree with others that you should check your serpentine belt and replace if necessary.

 

[02LTD2.0]

I'd say to replace the voltage regulator but the bearing is also possibly bad. If you can confirm the noise is coming from the alternator than you can replace alternator. Otherwise just do the voltage regulator.

Voltage regulator is built into the alternator.

 

[02LTD2.0]

its either the alternator or the tensioner, but from this I believe its the Alternator

The alternator is doing its job.

 

[kmart2026]

Voltage regulator is built into the alternator.

Yesterday when I left work I cleaned the battery terminals. Negative has some corrosion. After that the gauge read 16 volts. Drove home (2 hour drive)and did some errands for another hour of quick stops. It stayed above 15 volts the whole time. Getting a new alternator today

 

[02LTD2.0]

Let us know how that works out for you. Unless it's boiling the electrolyte out of the battery I would leave it alone.

 

[kmart2026]

Replaced the Alternator on Sunday, tensioner broke as I did that, so got that too. Which that was probably the noise I Heard. New Alternator is still running at 15-17V. Battery the few times I checked it while off has been between 12.6-12.8V. New alternator is some Chinese thing the parts place by me had, so I ordered an AC Delco from rockauto, using another car until that comes in a couple days.

 

[02LTD2.0]

How OLD is your battery?

 

[kmart2026]

How OLD is your battery?

january of this year

 

[02LTD2.0]

When my alternator failed it was NOT charging and I was running on pure battery power. I got a re-manufactured unit from a local parts store and it's been charging properly since then. Your gauge may be giving you a false reading. Have you checked with a volt meter?
If you go to AutoZone or O'Reilly's they can check and confirm if it's charging as high as you say.

 

[ulycyc]

As said check the gauge for accuracy. Check with a hand held VOM meter. If your were charging at 17volts it will boil the acid in the battery and smell like rotten eggs. Also light bulbs will be popping.

 

[kmart2026]

As said check the gauge for accuracy. Check with a hand held VOM meter. If your were charging at 17volts it will boil the acid in the battery and smell like rotten eggs. Also light bulbs will be popping.

With the volt meter on the battery terminals it and car running was 14.84-14.87. Held it on for about two minutes. Cold was 12.47 gauge still read 17. I’m assuming the small clip on the bottom of the alternator feeds this gauge?

 

[02LTD2.0]

It's halfway between 13 and 18 which means 15ish. You're fine.
Thanks for providing a picture of the gauge. Now we know the REST of the story!!!

 

[kmart2026]

It's halfway between 13 and 18 which means 15ish. You're fine.
Thanks for providing a picture of the gauge. Now we know the REST of the story!!!

I always thought each one of the notches was one volt. They’re actually .5?

 

[02LTD2.0]

Now you know. The lower end of the acceptable range is 11 and the upper end is 15.
I just installed a new Ever Start battery in my 2002 Limited and it read 12.3 at start and 15 with the engine running. Battery was marked 09/25.

 

[kmart2026]

Thank you all for the help, My original reading was closer to 14V then. Tensioner was definitely bad too.