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How can you tell if its the battery or alternator that's not working on a car?
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
Start car. Turn on all lights, blower etc., that you can.
Read voltage across battery terminals. If voltage is 13.5 or more then your alternator is okay.
This assumes you have clean connections, good cables.
Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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How do you tell if it's the alternator or battery?
Have a shop load test the battery.
How do you tell if your alternator is done?
The alternator is here to give power to / recharge the battery while the engine is running. the alternator, when wired correctly isn't charging with the engine running, then you can tell it is not working anymore. how to know : ideally you'll need a volt meter to controle voltage on the battery +/- plug while engine is doing ~1200rev. bit more elaborated : follow the + cable from the battery to the alternator connection, then with the engine running mesure voltage between the alternator connection and any negative ( - ) spot that you are 100% sure of (i.e. the head of a bolt screw onto the car) a good alternator will give you a reading around 14 for a 12V system (most popular) What happen when the alternator is not working properly : Your battery keeps on diying.
How do you tell if the alternator is outon a 1999 kia spehia?
A quick way to tell if there might be a problem with an alternator is to remove the positive side battery cable from the battery while the vehicle is idling. If the engine dies, odds are there is an alternator problem.
How can tell if the battery is bad or the alternator?
Take the battery to a parts store so they can test it.... Actually you need to test both the battery and the alternator because if your alternator is not functioning correctly it can drain the battery of power... so just testing the battery may only tell you that you have a drained battery and not reveal the cause... This testing can be done using an Auto meter which tests the battery and also does an alternator load test...If you do not have a tester you can rent one from an auto parts store,or you can remove the alternator and take it to the auto parts store and have it bench tested along with the battery...usually for free...
How do you tell my alternator is faulty 2006 impala?
An alternator keeps the battery charged in a vehicle. In a 2006 Chevrolet Impala when the alternator fails the battery will keep dying and no power will be available when attempting to start the car.
What could cause engine to try shutting down while driving and battery going dead overnight if battery and alternator have been replaced?
Sounds like the engine is using the battery as the source of power instead of using the alternator. The main job of the battery is to give power to the starter that "starts" the engine. Once the engine is started the alternator kicks in to maintain power throughout the vehicle, as well as keeping the battery strong. But if the alternator isn't working, the engine will get it's power from the battery. And without the alternator keeping the battery strong, the battery will die. Note: between the alternator and the battery, there is a voltage regulator, this make sure that the battery only gets the power it needs. Oh, one more note, here's a way to tell if the alternator is working properly. (Start the engine, while it is running remove one of the battery cable for just a few seconds.)if the engine stops, then you have an alternator problem still. Check your wires. Or replace the unit. for more answers. email tjjjlong@aol.com A constant 12 volt drain on the electrical system, even when the car is off
What causes the alternator to stop working?
How to Tell If Your Car Alternator Is Bad Check related link below…
Battery KEEPS draining?
Need more info... How old is it? Do you drive short distances? Does it sit around not driven a lot? Check for a short, bad alternator, or fried battery. If you take the car to an alternator shop, they can usually tell you for free if it's the battery or the alternator.
How do you tell if your alternator is bad in your 1996 dodge neon?
you could pull off your positive battery cable if it stalls out then you alternator is the problem
How can you tell the alternator is going out on a 1994 ford explorer sport?
the battery will not charge properly
Well alternator charges battery can it still be bad?
A good lead/acid battery will measure about 13.2 vdc. If that is happening it seems to be good. A load test at your local battery sales point would tell you if it is bad. There are amp probes that clamp on the battery lead and will show the current flowing. If the car is starting and you are seeing a higher than 13.2 vdc at the battery (switching to 13.2 when the battery is charged) then the alternator is working and the battery is good. Clean terminals are needed.
How do you tell if your car battery is finished?
Have it load tested by a shop, most parts stores will load test your battery and alternator for free.
