a voltage regulator circuit with overvoltage protection comprising a power source providing an unregulated voltage a voltage regulator circuit connected to receive said unregulated voltage and to produce a regulated voltage at a regulated voltage connection and to produce a charged voltage at a charged voltage output a first switch connected between said regulated voltage connection and a protected output a second switch connected between said charge voltage output and a reference voltage source and connected to be controlled by said protected output wherein when the voltage at said regulated voltage connection exceeds a predetermined limit said first and second switches operate to produce an output voltage at said limit according to another disclosed class of innovative embodiments there is provided an automotive control system comprising a power source providing an unregulated voltage a voltage regulator circuit connected to receive said unregulated voltage and to produce a regulated voltage at a regulated voltage connection and to produce a charged voltage at a charged voltage output a first switch connected between said regulated voltage connection and a protected output a second switch connected between said charge voltage output and a reference voltage source and connected to be controlled by said protected output at least one logic module connected to receive power from said protected output wherein when the voltage at said regulated voltage connection exceeds a predetermined limit said first and second switches operate to produce an output voltage at said limit according to another disclosed class of innovative embodiments there is provided a method for protecting an integrated circuit from excessive voltage comprising the steps of receiving an external voltage generating a reference voltage while said external voltage is within a predetermined range passing said.