Sould i be worried if while i am driving around and look at my battery voltage gauge and i see the needle up in the red at 18 but then when i am setting at a red light it drops down to normal around 13 -14 v.... Is this a common thing? Every other car i can remember driving the needle stays put.

 

Well, overcharging isn't good, it'll burn out the battery over time. Maybe the alternator's voltage regulator crapped out. You may want to get it tested.

 

If the battery and alternator check out good, you might look at replacing the voltmeter in the instrument cluster.

 

maybe i'll check the alternator, battery is a brand new optima gel battery. How to i go about testing the alternator?..Just check the voltage?

 

Take it to an auto parts store and they will test it for you. It is normally a free service that they provide to customers.

 

you could check the voltage yourself, wont hurt anything. If you take it to the parts store many of them give it a free bench test. THen you know for sure what is up.