Alternator "D" Terminal Putting Out 16 Volts

[youngm357]

I have finally narrowed down my alternator/red light issue (I think). At the "d" terminal it is putting out 16 volts; the main alternator output is around 13.8. My understanding is that the red light goes out when similar voltage's meet at the red light causing it to not have enough power to light up. My alternator is a Bosch and it probably has less than 10k miles on it. The charging system is working great;no problems. Anybody have an idea why the alternator is doing this and should I even worry about it?

[CustomVW]

Alt lights are constantly powered at the instrument cluster. The regulator closes the circuit for the light, and makes it turn on. On most alternators, the power for the stator is usually excited from the bulb's power. Hence, if the bulb is bunt out, most alt's won't even turn on.
If your light is on, the circuit is being closed by the regulator, or the bulb wire is grounding out someplace.
if your getting 13.8 at the batt, and the light is on, I would asume the wire is grounding.

if your getting 16volts at the batt, and the light is on, I would assume the regulator is fried.