Last month I had to jump my 2007 Chrysler Town & Country LX (3.3L ) twice in a couple of days. I realized the battery was 5 years old so I replaced it with a new 750 cold cranking amp model. Since replacing the battery, a couple of times the dash lights have flashed and other odd electrical behaviors have me wondering about the alternator and voltage regulation. I used my volt meter and performed the following checks:
• With engine off and no accessories turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 14.95
• With engine off and the headlights turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 14.75
• With engine on at idle (750 RPM) and no accessories turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 16.60
• With engine on at idle (750 RPM) and all accessories turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 16.40
• With engine on at 2000 RPM and all accessories turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 16.40
• With engine on at idle (750 RPM) and no accessories turned on voltage between battery negative post and alternator case 0.04
• With engine on at idle (750 RPM) and no accessories turned on voltage between battery positive post and the alternator output cable 0.06
It seems like the alternator is working, but is overcharging my new battery. Based upon what I've read, these voltages sound high. Are they?
I believe that the voltage regulator not a part of the alternator (external) but is part of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). A rebuilt alternator is $150 and a rebuilt PCM is nearly $300. How do I tell what, if anything, I need to replace?
Thanks for any input that you can provide.
• With engine off and no accessories turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 14.95
• With engine off and the headlights turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 14.75
• With engine on at idle (750 RPM) and no accessories turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 16.60
• With engine on at idle (750 RPM) and all accessories turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 16.40
• With engine on at 2000 RPM and all accessories turned on the voltage between the battery posts is 16.40
• With engine on at idle (750 RPM) and no accessories turned on voltage between battery negative post and alternator case 0.04
• With engine on at idle (750 RPM) and no accessories turned on voltage between battery positive post and the alternator output cable 0.06
It seems like the alternator is working, but is overcharging my new battery. Based upon what I've read, these voltages sound high. Are they?
I believe that the voltage regulator not a part of the alternator (external) but is part of the Powertrain Control Module (PCM). A rebuilt alternator is $150 and a rebuilt PCM is nearly $300. How do I tell what, if anything, I need to replace?
Thanks for any input that you can provide.