Voltage Regulator sounds up the duff

I was out having a play in the GTE last night when I noticed an odd occurance. There is a voltmeter on the digidash with 9, 12 and 15 volt markers on it. usually it is around about 13 or so, unless I have loads of stuff on when it goes to 12. Last night it went to 15, then went past it to close twenty. Then the battery warning light came on, the lights in the dash (which are usually dimmed when the headlights come on) came up to full brightness and then it went back to normal about a second later. It did it a few more times before I got back home.
I looked at the Haines manual with no joy. Can anyone shed any light? (no pun intended) astraboy.

Part of the charging circuit has some elec component in (the name escapes me, doh!) that restricts the voltage.

Its probably that 1 or more of these are giving up the ghost, and will allow the voltage to go too high. Get it looked at, as its likely to blow loads of bits and bobs up if the voltage goes too high.

robski

never had that on mine - though for sure it's something to do with the alternator/rectifier circuit.

Gallon Of petrol and a match????? http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:<HR>Originally posted by Dr Hu:
<B>Gallon Of petrol and a match????? http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif[/quote]
Yeah Yeah, your mum. http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/biggrin.gif
astraboy.
P.S. Thanks for the serious replies chaps. Dont sound too expensive, I will get her booked in to have a look.

astraboy

It's the voltage regulator. I had the same thing on a 16V.

BTW do you know where I can get an electric window motor for the nearside door on a H reg astra?

F

floyd try here

Cheers chaps, i will get it looked at. Floyd, try Regal autosport in southampton. They are vauxhall specialists so the can point you in the right direction at least. I dont have the number, I'm afraid, but try directory enquiries and you should get it.
KR's
astraboy.

try Colin Smith in Bournemouth for all spares Nova/Astra related - v.good prices.

Exactly the same thing happened on my daughters MR2. If the voltage regulator on the back of the alternator "fails to regulate" an horrendous amount of amps are pumped into the battery. If you dare remove one of the cell caps while this is happening you will see the electrolite fizzing and bubbling furiously. This will bugger the battery PDQ and is bloody dangerous as a lot of hydrodgen is being given off! If you put a voltmeter across the battery terminals the max. voltage you should see is 14-14.5 and this should drop as the battery becomes charged (e.g. following a cold start)
New regulator unit or exchange alternator required quick! http://www.stopstart.fsnet.co.uk/smilie/sadness.gif
JohnD

Yes, sounds like the Voltage Regulator

I have just been down this road with the Cabriolet, regulator is around £15.

Halfords at the moment are offering £10 if you spend £50 with them - my Alternator from Halfords was £50, £10 off took it to £40!!

Not worth just changing the regulator IMHO - a NEW Alternator looks so much better sparkling away!! http://bbs.scoobynet.co.uk/wink.gif

Pete

Put a match to it!!
Problem solved.

Top! thx chaps