Voltage regulator is more than likely defective. The Regulator is built into the alternator so you will have to replace the entire alternator. Just make sure it is really overcharging. You should read from 13.5 to around 15.5 volts with a digital DC voltmeter if the alternator is performing as it should. Must more than 15.5 volts and it is overcharging.
Check the voltage at the battery with the engine running. It should read from 13.5 volts to 16 volts. If it reads lower than 13.5 volts the alternator is defective.
May be overcharging. Check the output of the alternator. Should be from 13.5-16 volts.
It may need replacing or it can be the alternator is overcharging the battery. Have the charging system checked out. The alternator should output from 13.5 to 15.5 volts with the engine running at idle.
Yes, it can ruin the battery by overcharging it. If you are reading between 13.5 to 15.5 volts at the battery with the engine idling then more than likely the alternator is good and you battery has a dead cell. A fully charged battery will read 12.6 volts with the engine not running.
When engine is running there should be 13-14 volts.
15.0 volts is maximum for most systems some batteries will not stand even that much. have battery tested as a bad battery can fool an alternator into overcharging, check all connections and be sure that they are clean and tight.
mostly likely when you got the overcharging a fuse or relay was blown. need to locate and replace fuse most likely but possibly a relay.
my gauge reads 10 volts drive half mile it go to 8 Alternator is defective and needs replacing.
Defective voltage regulator. Check the voltage at the battery with the engine running with a digital volt meter. You should get 13.5 to 15.5 volts. Any more and the alternator is overcharging and needs replacing because in almost all cases the regulator is built into the alternator.
Replace the alternator. It sounds like a defective regulator, and it is located inside of the alternator. The volts should never go any higher than 16.
I have the exact same pproblem with a 1988 tempo, replaced the alternator and battery, still the alternator only reads 5 volts when running. Can't figure it out, do you know of any websites that would have a diagram of the alternator for a tempo?