battery gauge on the 1992 Ford Aerostar shows

FAQ · 08-12-2006, 08:49 PM

on the high side. I mean that the needle is pointed at the edge of the high end of the safety range when I start the van. The needle gradually moves beyond the safety range to the red band at the right of the gauge. Everything runs fine other than that. Is there any concern? The needle used to stay at the middle of the safety range a little to the right.

**Rashiki** · 08-13-2006, 03:41 AM

The gauge could be faulty, or your regulator could be dying and sending too many volts through. This would be bad.

To test, snag a multimiter and test the voltage at the battery posts when the vehicle is off (somewhere around 11-12v) and then when the vehicle is idling. The idle voltage should be somewhere in the ballpark of 14.4v. A few tenths either way won't hurt, but if it's way off you'll want to get it looked at.

FAQ · 08-13-2006, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rashiki

The gauge could be faulty, or your regulator could be dying and sending too many volts through. This would be bad.

To test, snag a multimiter and test the voltage at the battery posts when the vehicle is off (somewhere around 11-12v) and then when the vehicle is idling. The idle voltage should be somewhere in the ballpark of 14.4v. A few tenths either way won't hurt, but if it's way off you'll want to get it looked at.

Thanks. I did what you said. The voltage is 12.44 when the van is off. The voltage is 12.70 when idling. Should I take it in a garage to check it out? Where is the regulator located in my 92 aerostar? Anyone? Thanks.

**Midnight Tech** · 08-13-2006, 07:30 PM

FAQ, take the van to either a local parts store or shop and have them check your charging system. If it shows an overcharge then, remove the alternator from the vehicle and have it tested off the car. Sometimes, faults will show up off the car that don't while installed.
BTW, regulator on that one is in the back of the alternator...so if it's bad may as well go ahead and replace the alternator itself if the regulator is bad.

FAQ · 08-13-2006, 07:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Midnight Tech

FAQ, take the van to either a local parts store or shop and have them check your charging system. If it shows an overcharge then, remove the alternator from the vehicle and have it tested off the car. Sometimes, faults will show up off the car that don't while installed.
BTW, regulator on that one is in the back of the alternator...so if it's bad may as well go ahead and replace the alternator itself if the regulator is bad.

Thanks. I'll do that. It may be costly. A lot of pork and beans to eat...to pay for it.

**Rashiki** · 08-14-2006, 12:10 AM

It's odd that you measured 12.7 at idle and your gauge shows high voltage. I'd definately let a shop check it out, it's tough to diagnose someone's car w/o seeing it, especially electrical issues. 12v can be mysterious.

FAQ · 08-15-2006, 04:39 PM

I came back from the garage. They sold me a new battery. But the gauge still shows on the top edge of the safety band. Now the voltage reads 12.4 when the van is off and 14.7 at idling. The guy said it is within range. What do I know anyway until the battery burns out? There is a 2 years free replacement on the battery though. What do you guy think about the new voltage?

08-12-2006, 08:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
FAQ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 106 OS: xp	battery gauge on the 1992 Ford Aerostar shows on the high side. I mean that the needle is pointed at the edge of the high end of the safety range when I start the van. The needle gradually moves beyond the safety range to the red band at the right of the gauge. Everything runs fine other than that. Is there any concern? The needle used to stay at the middle of the safety range a little to the right.

08-13-2006, 03:41 AM	#2 (permalink)
Rashiki Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 878 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	The gauge could be faulty, or your regulator could be dying and sending too many volts through. This would be bad. To test, snag a multimiter and test the voltage at the battery posts when the vehicle is off (somewhere around 11-12v) and then when the vehicle is idling. The idle voltage should be somewhere in the ballpark of 14.4v. A few tenths either way won't hurt, but if it's way off you'll want to get it looked at. __________________ ASUS P5WD2 Premium v0709 \| Intel Prescott 3.2ghz \| 2gb Corsair XMS DDR2-800 PC2-6400 \| Sparkle Power 550w PSU \| ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro \| Sound Blaster Audigy 4 \| CoolerMaster Aluminum Case \| WD Raptor 76gb 10K RPM SATA HDD \|ASUS CD/DVD RW Combo Drive \| Mitsumi 7-in-1 Floppy Combo Drive \| Coolermaster Copper Heatsink

08-13-2006, 07:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
Midnight Tech Admin/Head GreaseMonkey/Igor's alter ego/Grand Exalted PoohBah Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: SC Posts: 2,920 OS: Windows XP Home/Pro SP3/Windows 98SE/Fedora Core 6/RH 7.2 with Autopoint/TAMS II	FAQ, take the van to either a local parts store or shop and have them check your charging system. If it shows an overcharge then, remove the alternator from the vehicle and have it tested off the car. Sometimes, faults will show up off the car that don't while installed. BTW, regulator on that one is in the back of the alternator...so if it's bad may as well go ahead and replace the alternator itself if the regulator is bad. __________________ Please post all questions in the appropriate forum. Questions sent by email or PM will not be answered. Sharing my life...with my Imzadi! Interested in Trek gaming? Check out the Dynaverse! Proud supporter of the Carolinas Aviation Museum. If we have helped you in any way, please donate to keep TSF up and running!

08-14-2006, 12:10 AM	#6 (permalink)
Rashiki Mentor Hardware Team Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 878 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	It's odd that you measured 12.7 at idle and your gauge shows high voltage. I'd definately let a shop check it out, it's tough to diagnose someone's car w/o seeing it, especially electrical issues. 12v can be mysterious. __________________ ASUS P5WD2 Premium v0709 \| Intel Prescott 3.2ghz \| 2gb Corsair XMS DDR2-800 PC2-6400 \| Sparkle Power 550w PSU \| ATI All-In-Wonder X600 Pro \| Sound Blaster Audigy 4 \| CoolerMaster Aluminum Case \| WD Raptor 76gb 10K RPM SATA HDD \|ASUS CD/DVD RW Combo Drive \| Mitsumi 7-in-1 Floppy Combo Drive \| Coolermaster Copper Heatsink

08-15-2006, 04:39 PM	#7 (permalink)
FAQ Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 106 OS: xp	I came back from the garage. They sold me a new battery. But the gauge still shows on the top edge of the safety band. Now the voltage reads 12.4 when the van is off and 14.7 at idling. The guy said it is within range. What do I know anyway until the battery burns out? There is a 2 years free replacement on the battery though. What do you guy think about the new voltage?