I think my VR died and now my battery shows 18volts, what kind of damage am I looking at?

Currently I cannot start the car due to a Fuel pump circuit issue (unless the 18v has hosed up something)

Unless I'm forgetting something, a 12v battery can't have an output of 18v <_< . A fully charged 12v automotive battery should have an output voltage of 12.7v or something close to that. I'd say that the meter/gauge that you're using is hosed. Buy a cheapo multimeter from Radio Shack and check it again.

My voltmeter hooked up to the + battery terminal shows 12v, but with a multimeter it shows 18v at the posts. Other checks of the wiring harness shows 18v as well.

How are you able to measure the 18 volts? You may fry the computer with a voltage like that.

Disconnect the battery....read it. Should be 12.5 volts. Reconnect it....12.5 volts......start the car, 12.5-13.0 at idle....2500 rpms 13.0-13.5ish.....anything over 14.0 is bad......

Allowing it to take an overcharge like that and the battery can explode.

all true checks were done with a DVM

Mike,

what would over 14 indicate??

batteries can explode/leak if grossly overcharged, can you measure the "field" of the VR?

how do I do that?

inquiring minds would like to know. mine is getting so hot i can fry an egg on it.