Too Many Volts ????

[poorboys831]

Hi Guys and Gals, I have a problem -I think-A month or so ago I had to charge my battery. Since that time I'm reading about 14.5 volts ,according to the dash readings. When I turned one my radio it blew the fuse and continues to do so every time I turn it on. It doesn't matter if the car is running or not. Should I have the alternator checked? or could it be something else? Thanks for any responces Dennis

[gmjunkie]

It's not uncommon to have 14.5 volts or a little more!! I wouldn't worry about it unless it gets above 15!! As far as the radio blowing fuses,Theres a Problem somewhere that needs researched!!

[DarkShark]

Originally Posted by poorboys831

Hi Guys and Gals, I have a problem -I think-A month or so ago I had to charge my battery. Since that time I'm reading about 14.5 volts ,according to the dash readings. When I turned one my radio it blew the fuse and continues to do so every time I turn it on. It doesn't matter if the car is running or not. Should I have the alternator checked? or could it be something else? Thanks for any responces Dennis

I agree with Junkie. Check the wires for the radio- I don't think it is the alternator either.

FYI - if you had too much current from within the electrical system- your computer would fry. I think you have a short due to improper wiring during your radio's installation. It sounds like it is grounding out somewhere.

Check your ignition accessory wire that tells the radio to turn on with the ignition. Often times, it is yellow and runs from either the fuse block directly or from the OEM harness adapter / splice connection. I think it is touching a grounded portion of the dash. Did you do the install? If you did- did you use insulated crimp connectors or electrical tape and twisting the wires together? If you did the latter- that is more than likely the problem.

Hope that helps!

[Vettefan87]

If no other fuses are blowing then it is probably something to do with the radio installation setup. In my old Escort after I installed an aftermarket CD player it shorted out and (I just tapped the wires together) it took out all of my dash lights and I had to drive home from my buddies house about 5 miles away checking my speedo with the light off my cell phone .

[poorboys831]

Thanks to everyone-The problem ,or high volts,started after I charged the battery that had gone dead. This is the origanal boise. i'm going to take the radio out to see if there is any of the conditions you all described. I need to get this solved in the next week as I'm having a hip replacement done on the 5th of oct. So you see the vette isn't the only thing broke. Thanks again Dennis

[bz1mcr]

Dennis,
First good luck with the new Hip. I know two guys who have replacement hips and both say "I should have done it sooner". They endured too much pain before giving in. Now they feel so much better they wish they had done it much sooner. 'Hope it is the same for you.

Now about the Vet--I agree with others, 14.5 volts is not a problem or high. It is normal with the alternator running. I do not know if the power antenna runs off the radio fuse or it's own, but if it is stalled or sticky that could certianly blow a fuse when the radio is turned on. I doubt the factory installed radio wiring has gone bad unless it was disturbed by some modification. The factory installation is normally pretty bullet proof.

Try having someone pull the antenna upward as you turn it on and see if that stops the fuse from blowing.
Don

[compyelc4]

14.5v is just fine.

Sounds like a shorted power supply in your radio amplifier.