Amp meter shows overcharging

midlifecuda said
72 Swinger /6. Recently the alterator has been over charging. First it would just do it when the car was first started and then go to normal and now its been getting progressively worse. at idle its fine but as you give it gas it climbs. the alt. looks fairly new and I have done nothing to the car electric wise. I have almost 5000 miles on it since I got it, now 46000 org. miles. Please put the responses in idiot terms since electrical things are my Achilles heel (oh yea, spelling too!)

First try a volt meter on your battery terminals. Should read 14 point something at idle. Voltage regulators are fairly inexpensive and you can replace one for about 14 bucks. When you change it make sure it is grounded good to the firewall (sometimes there is rust build up between the regulator and the firewall) and the two bolts snug. If still overcharging, carefully inspect the two wires coming off the regulator going to the back of the altenator for good connections, breaks, etc.