Alternator charges high

[b*saint]

16v. How do I determine a bad voltage regulator?

[KenC]

16V? It's bad. Change it before your battery dies.

[MR 325]

If it's charging 16v you've already determined it. Replace that bitch.

[b*saint]

Can I just replace the regulator? Kawasaki wants mucho money for a replacement.

[george graves]

Yep. But you might want to check the brushes at the same time. Replace it asap. It going to start to burn things out - and when that happens all hell can break loose.

[b*saint]

Yea it already toasted my battery last season. I just thought it was because I bought a cheap battery. It has carbon brushes according to the schematic.

[Smelser]

You could put a Higher voltage Battery system in it, wired to the ignition coil and the starter (help spin the bitch faster) and just run a inline resistor (like the old chryslers did) for the computer. open the plug gap to bout 60-80 thou and let the somebitch wind up!!!

[b*saint]

I'd rather just keep it factory. But thanks for the info.

[Sagaris]

Yep. But you might want to check the brushes at the same time. Replace it asap. It going to start to burn things out - and when that happens all hell can break loose.

Yep, My 2002 Toyota Rav4 went to hell because the alternator was overcharging. It stopped working one day, I spent days diagnosing the thing and attempting repairs. The bottom line was that it had really fried some electrical components and had to give the car up. The used parts market for newer Toyotas isnt exactly like the used parts market for old enthusiast BMW's so it was not worth repairing.