My wifes car is giving a voltage reading of 16.2 at the alternator.Would the problem be the voltage regulator?Is it inside the alternator?What can happen with a higher than normal reading?

 

Quite possibly the regulator, yes. Is the battery already charged completely though? Sometimes the alternator overcharges when the battery is very low (which is actually bad for it anyway). But the rulator is inside the alternator. Excessively high voltage can fry things like the computer etc. Normal readings are generally in the 13.5 to 15.5 range without heavy loads turned on.

 

The battery gives a reading of 12.5 so it seems fully charged.The alt. is still giving a reading of 16.7 now.

 

I had a similar problem, when I overhauled my altenator. First when I started the car, it gave over 16 V at idle. I checked the wires etc. and was stumpped, ready to give up. I decided to start the car one more time and *hocus pocus* the the volts dropped to 14,5 .

What the hell happened? I don't know.

Check that the wires going to the plastic connector on the alternator are plugged in tight (and also the correct way, I don't remember if you can plug it in the wrong way ) and that the connector is in good shape. I would also check the ground wire and after that measure the voltage regulator. The repair manuals or the factory shop manual might (should) have the correct specs of the readings you should get when measurin a good voltage regulator.

The voltage requlator is in the alternator, if memory serves.