There was this horrible smell coming from the A/C. Got home and opened the hood, the battery was smoking! So I measured the voltage, 14.8 volts. I had my wife step on the gas, soon I was up to 19 volts and the battery started smoking badly. Backed off the gas, 14.8 volts again. I shut down the car and the voltage was back to 12.4. Does this car have a seperate voltage regulator or do I just need to get a new alternator? The car has ~205K miles and the alternator is the original.

I think I now know why my ABS system just went bad! I don't think the computer liked all that extra voltage. Does anyone think anything else was fried in the process? And should I replace the battery after putting in the new alternator?

Thanks in advance!
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Scott K - 1994 850 Turbo

I wouldn't be too keen to buy a new alternator. I went through some alt trouble recently, and found that the local NAPA wanted 500-something for a new alternator - and it was an aftermarket unit that I'm sure was not as good as the original Bosch unit.

You can read about my alt troubles and the resolution here:
http://www.brickboard.com/AWD/index.htm?id=1344154&show_all=1

I would definitely recommend taking it to a real Alternator and Starter shop - in my case they managed to fit a brand new (bosch) voltage regulator for me for less than $100, including the testing. He estimated the price to rebuild the OEM bosch unit too for less than $200, but it was going to take a few days to get the required voltage regulator shipped in, and I needed the car back right away, otherwise I would have had the oem bosch unit rebuilt for sure.

I think FCP's price on rebuilt bosch units is pretty good, but I would think the shipping on something that heavy would be killer.


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1998 V70 AWD Turbo 190k+

There is a voltage regulator, but I think it costs as much as an alternator!!! It is the housing on the back of the alternator. The voltage regulator also contains the magnetic brushes. It is hosed, get a new one.

You may have fried a lot of things with that voltage. I hope that the ABS and the battery are your only problems. I would replace the battery soon anyway, over cooking the plates does a lot of internal damage.

Klaus
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Common sense trumps a PhD

I have a 94 850 turbo wagon. Never had the battery smoke but the alternator shorted out and killed the battery. It didn't over charge it. I think a new alternator will do the trick but just check all systems after replacing the alternator. Good Luck! RK