911 request feedback please

[Cleveland Crush]

I'm out cruising and just broke down about 30 miles from home. Loud screeching started to come thru the car's radio speakers. Checked gauges, volt gauge was pegged at 16! Pulled over and popped the hood, alternator smoking and battery (Optima) was oozing. Your analysis is welcome while I'm waiting for the tow truck!!

 

[ib4stangs]

Disconnect battery if not already done by now...

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Done, thanks

 

[ib4stangs]

I'd say it's a faulty alternator or regulator. Pull alt. and take to a parts store that can test and replace regulator with a known working unit. Check wiring for melts. Good luck and hopefully it didn't cook that expensive Optima! (Run a test on battery too)

 

[Ron Tanzi]

That sucks! Your Voltage regulator was most likely bad causing your system to overcharge. Good luck.

Ron

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Thanks Ron. I run a G3 alternator (internal regulator) which I'll replace with my spare g3.
Battery hammered too so I'll order new.

 

[Cleveland Crush]

On the way home, alas not the way planned.

 

[Bentworker]

That is no good. Would you consider going back to a conventional lead acid?

 

[Cleveland Crush]

I will get another Optima Red Top. My current one is now toasted but I installed it 10 years ago so I'm please with the service. Plus it did a decent job containing it's electrolyte having only a small amount coming out the vents.
The alternator and it's internal voltage regulator tested good just now at Auto Zone, I'm a bit stumped as to why the system was putting out 16+ volts, the loud screeching sound coming out of the radio speakers was something else!. I just started the car after a 45 minute tow home and it's now putting out its normal 13.8 volts!

I'm open to any and all trouble shooting ideas!
Thanks,
Chris

 

[Sheriff41]

Hmm. What were you listening to on the radio?

 

[Bentworker]

If it made 16 volts I’d suspect the regulator, even if it is acting normal now. Maybe it is related to heat?

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Hmm. What were you listening to on the radio?

I did not even know anything was wrong till Tom Petty suddenly was replaced by the loud screeching. I tried turning the volume down but that did not even stop the horrific speaker screeching noise. It was like a scene out of the Exorcist movie!!

 

[Sheriff41]

I thought you might have cranked up some heavy metal!

 

[Steve McMahan]

Replace the Alt anyway

 

[Cleveland Crush]

Replace the Alt anyway

Thanks Steve, that's the plan. ⁹I have a backup 3g alternator ready to install. I'm getting a new battery too. Boy can these cars go thru some money$$$

 

[Ron Tanzi]

I did not even know anything was wrong till Tom Petty suddenly was replaced by the loud screeching. I tried turning the volume down but that did not even stop the horrific speaker screeching noise. It was like a scene out of the Exorcist movie!!

Perhaps your voltage regulator was "living like a refugee". I love Petty.

 

[Paul M]

I'm out cruising and just broke down about 30 miles from home. Loud screeching started to come thru the car's radio speakers. Checked gauges, volt gauge was pegged at 16! Pulled over and popped the hood, alternator smoking and battery (Optima) was oozing. Your analysis is welcome while I'm waiting for the tow truck!!

On the way home, alas not the way planned.

I would have sent you an address to ship it to. I'm wondering if there's some kinda internal degradation that can short one of them fancy batteries out. I'd ditch the regulator just in case. This is a short to ground. You should be able to smell it. esp when it occurred. To increase charging volts like that. Look for burned wires under your dash and around the alt. You are swapping out the alt. Nobody pulled the alt wires in recent days. At least it's home.

 

[Stanglover]

Chris, I know your pain, but mine was not electrical. It was a PS hose that blew out of the pump fitting. I posted on that before, but this was the end result of that little trip.

 

[born2cruze]

Agree with the above comments, replace the voltage regulator

 

[Mark Jones]

You might check your engine block to frame ground depending on how you have your battery grounded (to the block or the frame).