is it the alternator
09-24-2009, 05:59 PM
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: new york
Posts: 36
is it the alternator
ok so i was wondering if my alternators bad beacuse i no theres a way to test it when its running but the car is dead it a new battery and i think i was draining the battery because of the bad alternator is there a way to test it myself to see if it is theres a ticking noise wen i turn the key but no start and the battery tacometer says the batttery is dead so is it my alternator?
09-24-2009, 06:12 PM
#2
D.R. THE PATHETIC DORK
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: West Virginia
Posts: 30,863
HOW are we suppose to know??????????? NUMBER ONE you have not provided enough background info to make a proper diagnosis, for 1 did the car die while driving?? or was it fine then you came out one day and no cranky crank???? fyi autozone can test alts for free, but first you need to recharge the battery, could be bad connection, bad alt, parasitic drain ect ect......
Last edited by mjr46; 09-24-2009 at 07:34 PM.
09-24-2009, 08:15 PM
#8
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Rochester, NY
Posts: 8,467
figuring out if your alternator is working seems like it should be pretty easy to me. Jump start your car, does it stay running on it's own? While the car is running check the battery voltage, if it's not over 12, i think around 14 volts is normal, then the alternator isn't putting out enough voltage to charge the batter and run the car.