running 16-17 volts!?!?

my XJ is running at 16-17 volts... wtf? i have a yellow top in there and it usto run right under 12 like high 11. i dont when i was driving to school this morning it started to smoke up in the cab i couldnt really smell anything but it was like white smoke.... whats going on here? any one els have this problem?

i would say that the voltage regulator took a dump in the alternator.

so i would need to replace the alternator?

Yup, a new alternator is in order. Actually sounds like a diode in the regulator took a crap. You say it was only charging around 11-12 volts before today, thats not good either. It should charge between 13.5 to 14.5 volts while running. Readings as low as 12.5-13 are acceptable at an idle with alot of accessories on (headlights, defrosters, etc...) but should come back up as soon as engine speed increases.

Good luck...

yea new alternator for sure... and i sure hope it didnt burn through any wires when all the smoke happened could have a positive wire goin to ground now that could be a major problem.

hopefully it will be ok... so how much do alternators run (good ones) what kind should i get?

ps thanks for your guy's help