Voltage reads 18 and kept climbing turned a corner it stalled. Drove. It to work came out. No power at all. Is it the alternator? Battery is 06/15.

Asked by Lauralie Dec 15, 2016 at 12:35 AM about the 1997 Dodge RAM 1500 LT LB RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Is it the alternator. Or battery.  Or both

2 Answers

60,305

If it's overcharging then you alternator is bad. It has an internal regulator that keeps it at about 14v. 18 is way too much and hopefully no other damage was done. There is a good possibility, check all fuses. But you will need a new alternator

157,325

As Andrew says, 18 volts is way too much and the alternator is the likely suspect. If it has been doing this for some time I would also have the battery checked out. 18 volts going into a 12 volt battery will boil the electrolyte and ruin the battery.

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