Will a bad voltage regulator drain your battery? – MVOrganizing
Will a bad voltage regulator drain your battery?
On a hot engine on a hot day, the normal charging voltage might drop to 13.5 to 14.3 volts. Fully charged automotive batteries should measure at 12.6 volts or above. When the engine is running, this measurement should be 13.7 to 14.7 volts. So, to answer your question, Yes, 15 volts is too high.
If the alternator is working well, your multi-meter should read somewhere in the vicinity of 14 volts (typically 13.8-14.2). If it is reading excessively higher than 14 volts (greater than 15 volts) it is possible that the voltage regulator on your alternator is faulty or going bad.
Car Battery Voltage Gauge Reading is High. You notice a high voltage reading on your cars vehicle’s dashboard.
Car Battery Gets Hot When Charging.
Your Headlights Burn Out Quickly.
A car’s battery will overcharge if the voltage regulator isn’t working correctly. A voltage regulator is usually part of the alternator, and is used to keep a steady flow of voltage to the battery. If it sends too much, the car battery will overcharge.