Overcharging battery

[sblackburn23]

So over the weekend I was pushing my SHO a little bit and when I went to start it up the next time, the A/C unit wasn't coming on like usual and the battery and ABS lights on the dash were lit up. I went and looked under the hood and saw that the battery had spilled water out the top and when I checked it with my multimeter it was charging at 18V (while the engine was running). Is this a voltage regulator issue? Is that a common problem? Thanks for any assistance you guys can provide.

 

[93markVIII]

Is this a voltage regulator issue?

yes.

Is that a common problem?

i dont know if i would call a failed regulator common, but it does happen.
most of the ones i've had fail just stop charging.
only had one overcharge, and it killed a battery with it.

 

[sblackburn23]

Okay, I just wanted someone to confirm that was the issue. Thanks for the quick answer.

I have a Chilton manual and it doesn't make clear if the voltage regulator is part of the alternator or mounted on the fender apron of my '92. If it is part of the alternator I might be able to get it under warranty from Autozone. I've had the alternator replaced by Autozone and have a lifetime warranty on it, but I'm curious if I should just get a replacement from them or if I should go with SHOSource.com's replacement if it is better. Thoughts?

 

[93markVIII]

the voltage regulator is internal to the alternator. autozone should warranty it.
i don't know anything about the sho source alternator though.

 

[rubydist]

the only ones that I have found to actually last are the NAPA lifetime warranty ones. all the others will die in a year or two, in my experience.

 

[sblackburn23]

Thanks for the replies. I'll go with my Autozone warrantied one then this time and look into the NAPA one if this fails on me again.