At 04:33 PM 11/20/2009, neil n wrote:
>More a point of curiosity than anything, but if an alternator puts out
>too many volts, would this do any damage to an ECU? I figure that
>things like wiper motors etc. can handle a little more, but was
>curious about a more sensitive item like the ECU.

Internally I imagine it runs on 12.0 +/- 0.5 and 5.0 +/- 0.25 volts,
although it's possible that the 12v part could be running at the van
system voltage.  It can undoubtedly tolerate supply voltages of +16
volts, maybe more, at least briefly.  One thing it *won't* be happy
about is unhooking FI or ignition driver outputs while it's running
(damage can be invisible and cumulative, btw), and undoubtedly some
or all of its pins are static-sensitive when not connected into the van wiring.

Yours,
d