Changed my fuel line to fuel pump rubber hoses the other day. Then degreased the engine to get rid of gas smell and other oily areas. Now the amp gauge shows full charge when the the car is started.  Battery checks good. Did I get water in the alternator when I rinsed the engine compartment? Any Ideas ?.. Thanks. 

Does the gauge stay at full charge, or does it come down to "normal" after a minute?
If it stays on the high side, then you may have damaged the alt with water, or possibly the voltage regulator.
If it does come back down to "normal" after running, then I think you're OK...it's just charging the battery back up from starting.

It's a good idea to put a plastic bag around the alternater when you wash your engine,also disconnect your battery to avoid an unwanted LIGHT SHOW,distributer and Carb too

Yes the charge stays on the high side. Gauge shows full charge and stays that way.   I usually cover the Important Stuff when degreasing, but this time I didn't- just did a small area.  I believe the v. regulator is inside the alternator for this year...? (1972).

It should have the internal regulator. I believe Vettes started using it in '69..maybe '68 but '69 at the latest.

Yup, da regulator is internal...time for a alt. repair!

Have you checked the actual output of the alt.? You should check(or have it checked) that at the alt, and at the battery, just to be sure you don't have a gauge/wiring problem.

If you're getting max. voltage (over 14.5) at the alt., then it is damaged. If there is a fairly normal voltage at the alt(12.5/14.5), then you have something else going on.

Let it run for a bit, and see if it will dry out.  If not let it sit a day and try again.   If this fails, repair it.

Just rebuilt the altenator. It was bad- pumping out 19 volts ! Thanks...

My recommendation is to let everything dry out as indicated in one of the above postings.  What you don't want to do is fry the new altenator.  Be patient; you filled the system with water. OH6A2006-10-22 17:30:41