Problem with Amps gauge

[Bryan Niese]

My amp gauge has always run positive, and when I am at highway speeds with no accessories on, it bordered on the red zone (positive). I just replaced my battery with a new group 58 battery (which was what the dealers manual called for) and now when I drive at highway speeds with no accessories on it gets well into the red zone (positive). Is my alternator overcharging? I have to turn on my lights or A/C to draw some amps to get it out of the red zone. Also, not knowing much about batteries, is a group 58 the right size? the one I replaced was (I think) a group 32? Any suggestions would be appreciated.



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Donzi
1988 GW
Totally Stock

[andy d]

put a voltmeter across the battery terminals. with the engine running,say 1500-2000 rpm does meter read 14.75volts or higher? if so than regulator is overcharging.another clue is that the electrolyte isnt covering the plates. this will lead to premature failure of the battery, or in extreme cases a battery exploding. see my rant about Lucas in the kn air filter thread. i have learned to keep a good battery in anything my wife drives. if a car will die, it willdie on her. i would go for as big a battery as will fit. get a good one.interstate or diehard seem to last. i used exides top o'the line 7 yr batt and couldnt get 3 yrs out of them. idont think they could handle the vibration. i also keep a set of jumper cables inthe rig.

[christopher]

your volt reg. is shot . no problem but you need a need alt. the reg. is inside the alt. mine is up there also and have had it to the shop , the mech said it was putting out 14.7 and it needed a change

[RudyC]

Your regulator is shot. Replace it or you will burn out your battery very quickly. In fact check you battery water level as its probably already low by now.

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