alternator??????
11-27-2007, 08:55 PM
#11
Yukon Cornelius
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: deep in the heart of dixie GEORGIA
Posts: 11,808
RE: alternator??????
ORIGINAL: shawnk007
With the engine running, un-hook the battery. If it dies, you need an alternator. This is kind of a "back-yard" method, but it works.
With the engine running, un-hook the battery. If it dies, you need an alternator. This is kind of a "back-yard" method, but it works.
11-27-2007, 09:42 PM
#12
5th Gear Member
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Warner Robins,GA
Posts: 2,872
RE: alternator??????
If you have alt. tested, take the alt out, you will get a more accurate test that way. You could put a screwdriver on the plate on the back of alt, if it is magnatized your alt is working, But you have no way of knowing if it putting out what it should without testing.
11-27-2007, 10:06 PM
#13
6th Gear Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: San Diego, CA
Posts: 6,882
RE: alternator??????
ORIGINAL: ahittz24
That doesnt Always work. Many Cars rely on the battery to complete a circuit within a vehicle and to buffer voltage spikes. That method worked fine on most cars that had generators, but times have changed. I saw a guy once unhook a battery while the engine was running and his alternator literally went up in flames. It was one of those "Life Changing Experiences"
ORIGINAL: shawnk007
With the engine running, un-hook the battery. If it dies, you need an alternator. This is kind of a "back-yard" method, but it works.
With the engine running, un-hook the battery. If it dies, you need an alternator. This is kind of a "back-yard" method, but it works.
11-27-2007, 10:22 PM
#14
2nd Gear Member
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: boston
Posts: 310
RE: alternator??????
hay i dont mean to hijack but, on my dash it says my car is charging like 17 -18 volts, sometimes it even goes off the chart and into the dash, now when the car was running, i checked it with a volt meter, i put it to the wires well idling and it said 13.7 . is my gauge just off?
11-28-2007, 12:02 AM
#18
4th Gear Member
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,016
RE: alternator??????
Easiest way is to park in front of a wall with the headlights on and the engine running... with the lights on, turn off the engine, and they should dim a little.
Also, I would avoid pulling the ground cable while the engine is running in any computer controlled car. I did do this method on my old clunker, but nothing computer controled on it.
But be sure to test it by measuring the voltage at the battery with a volt meter to make sure it is not overcharging either
Also, I would avoid pulling the ground cable while the engine is running in any computer controlled car. I did do this method on my old clunker, but nothing computer controled on it.
But be sure to test it by measuring the voltage at the battery with a volt meter to make sure it is not overcharging either
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