"Billgran" wrote:
"Jack Goff" wrote in message
Couple weeks ago I
went for a short run (it stays in the water year-round), and I noticed
the
voltmeter was showing nearly 18 volts.


The '99 V6 small-block has a pretty reliable voltage regulator design. It
is pretty rare that they fail, but usually it is from corroded
connections,
wing-nuts on the battery, or hooking up the cablese or a battery charger
backwards. Be sure the connections are clean and that there are
lockwashers
and stainless hex nuts on the terminals.

Check your voltmeter accuracy first. With the key ON and motor not
running,
make sure it reads about 12 volts and not 14 or 16 meaning the meter is
out
of calibration. Also you can put an accurate digital meter directly on the
battery terminals and run the motor, comparing both the dash meter and the
digital meter readings.

If the regulator is indeed faulty, it is around $200 and easily installed.

Bill Grannis
service manager

Thanks, Bill. It does read 12v before starting. I had already planned to
take the DVM with me when I go today to get a sanity check on the onboard
voltmeter. The battery cables were replaced last year as well (muskrat
chewed the old ones), so the connections should be solid, but I'll look at
that too.

From your and Tony's post, it sounds like the voltage regulator. I'm sure
it'll be the most expensive thing... grin

Jack