ryanc440

What's everyone see during normal driving conditions? I've noticed over the last few weeks that my 08 Cayenne has been reading close to 16 volts when driving; this seems a little high to me but I honestly can't remember if this is a new thing or where it's always been.

grohgreg

Does sound a bit high, don't think I've seen mine over 14.8v

//greg//

sprinky911

Mine sits right on 14 all the time. I would be interested to discover if your voltage at 16 is a sign something is going bad.

aviography

Pop the hood, start the car and measure with a digital volt meter, if it truly reads 16 volts then the voltage regulator in the alternator may be going bad, which can cook the battery and blow other electronics as well.

gnat

Sounds like its time for a new alternator (can just the voltage regulator be replaced?). Generally anything (other than the occasional spike) over 15 in a 12v system is bad and can damage electrical components (I've never seen that happen, but supposedly that's the case).

My diesel jumps all over between the low 13s and high 14s. I've never seen a car jump around so much but two dealers swear its normal...

jmorgan911

Don't mean to thread hijack but my 2011 CTT starts around 14.8, then fluctuates between high 12s and high 14s while driving. I've never seen a battery fluctuate this much. Anyone else noticing such large swings in voltage?

grohgreg

Well, seems ya did anyway. Yours is consistent with 3 of the 4 other posters here. It's the OP 16v that suggests an actual problem.

//greg//

dryadsdad

I have in a BMW bike.

kosmo

this

virkdoc

14V Doesnt even budge

User 4221

Solid 13.5 - 14 volts. Verified via voltmeter, gauge and Durametric interface doing logging.

CarreraCup03

My Passport has a function that that shows volts. I have it set this way all the time ... for about a year now. 13.7 - 14. New battery.

endless_corners

Mine hovers between 13.7-14 as well. I have no idea how old the battery is since I have had the car only 19 months.

Slow Guy

If the battery is original it may very well be time to replace, your vehicle production date may very well be mid-'07 and that would be a good life for a battery. I've not had very good luck with battery testing unless the battery was really shot. The only reliable way I know to test is to disconnect the battery (absolutely no load on battery) charge it to a full charge, disconnect the charger and observe the voltage drop over 24 hrs.

Personally I consider batteries a consumable maint. item, I don't try to squeeze every last volt out of them before they leave me stranded.

Of course you don't want to install a new battery and discover your alt/volt reg. is cooking it with too high a charge.

leek

I have and 08 as well. I replaced battery last month after leaving car outside in McCall Idaho (25 degrees). The next morning I went out to run it and a voice came on saying low battery. I put the car in service in late spring of 07, it has 105K miles on it.