Alternator overcharging

Tiny
STEVE620
  • MEMBER
  • 2007 GMC ENVOY
  • 4.2L
  • 6 CYL
  • 4WD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 106,000 MILES
I was told by a shop that my alternator was overcharging, and I needed a new one, rather than let them do it I did it.
I tested the alternator, and it was telling me it's overcharging. Installed alternator and tested again, when I first start the car, the volts go up to 15.6 then within two minutes it drops down to around 14.2V. If I shut the car off after it drops, then restart it and does the same thing. Can you help me with this?
Sunday, March 27th, 2022 AT 8:53 AM

3 Replies

Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
From the numbers you posted the charging system is working the way it should. That system charges from battery voltage up to 15.5 or so normally. Try this test, measure the battery voltage with everything off. Now start the truck and turn on the headlights, A/C on max, blower motor on high and heated seats on if it has them. Now measure the voltage at the battery. Is it above 13 volts up to 15.5? Yes, system is charging okay.
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Sunday, March 27th, 2022 AT 10:27 AM
Tiny
STEVE620
  • MEMBER
  • 60 POSTS
Did the test, 14.3 volts with everything on.
Thank you
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Sunday, March 27th, 2022 AT 11:25 AM
Tiny
STEVE W.
  • MECHANIC
  • 13,003 POSTS
Sounds like it's doing fine. The modern systems are fun to test because of the way they are controlled. Some of them charge in steps where they hit 15+ volts to bring the battery up to full charge rapidly right after you start the vehicle, then drop down to a steady rate then some even stop charging entirely until there is a load placed on the system like lights or heat. Yours is more the first one with multiple charge steps to keep the battery charged. If you had seen 15 or higher with everything on then you would be concerned, and the first thing to do would be to clean the battery terminals and check the grounds on the engine to chassis cables as those having corrosion is common and the system will raise the charging voltage up to compensate for that.
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Sunday, March 27th, 2022 AT 5:44 PM

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