I just recently had a bunch of work done to the engine of my 1993 Honda Accord 10th Anniv. w/172,000 miles... including a complete tune-up, new filters, fluids, seals, gaskets, hoses and the complete timing-belt service done. To finish everything, I decided to have the engine degreased and hosed down to wash off all of the old oil, dirt and grime. The mechanic sprayed the engine a little harder than I thought he should, but he assured me that it wouldn't hurt anything. He didn't use a pressure washer, but he didn't really make an effort to avoid the alt, battery, dist., etc. After he was done, I started the car and it fired right up. Everything seemed fine until about a minute later when the battery light popped on. To shorten this up, the problem is that the alt. seems to be over charging... it's charging at 17-18 volts and triggering the battery light. As soon as I put a load on the electrical system (turn on the AC, use the power windows, etc.) the battery light goes off. As soon as the load decreases, it comes back on again. I can tell everything is getting an extra boost of power. I drove the car home a short distance and parked it... I didn't want to possibly damage anything else.

I was told to let the car sit and let it dry overnight and try it again today... which I did. No luck. I went out to start it and it acted like the battery was really drained... but it started. After about 30 seconds, the battery light came back on. I turned on the AC, and it went off... I drove the car around the neighborhood and the battery light would only start to come on (and kind of flicker) if I went over 2,000 rpms. I came back home and let it idle, turned off the AC and the battery light still remained off. But, as soon as I raised the RPMs, the light came back on again. So, it is still overcharging. After the car idled for a while, I shut it off and restarted it... it started back up normally (no dragging). Not sure why the battery would've been low this morning.

The mechanic wants me to bring the car back on Monday and he said he'll replace the voltage regulator and/or the alternator. I hope that is all it is, and not a deeper electrical system problem. The car does drive fine, otherwise... better than it has in probably a long time!

Will I damage anything by driving the car as it is? According to the volt meter, it's putting out 17.8-18 volts without a load.

Thanks in advance for any help with this matter.