Overcharging

[classicmike]

Well at least it's showing overcharging...coming back from town yesterday and I noticed the charge gauge on my 90 E350 was a quarter of the way into the charge range, normally stays about in the middle...it would move down to almost normal at idle and then go back up with throttle...the alt is fairly new and I haven't had any problems until yesterday....so does this mean the alt is bad? Thanks...

Mike

 

[Exekiel69]

You can use a meter and know for sure, just have someone push the throttle while You check it on the engine compartment. BTW Welcome.

 

[Agnem]

Welcome to the site. Sounds like maybe your voltage regulator has shorted internally. I'd do some under the hood checks with a voltmeter.

 

[Mr_Roboto]

If the amp gauge is moving that much you probably have a serious overcharge and are on your way to frying your batteries. If you see much over 14.5 volts you have big problems.

Not sure which alternator you have, if it's internally regulated the alternator needs to be changed out.