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Your alternator will need to put out about 13.5 volts to charge your battry. It will need to over come the voltage of the battery to charge it. Check it with a meter set to DC volts. It may be able to keep up with little draw on it, but not with heater blower and lights on. So check with things on and off while the car is running. If the volts keep up to about 13.5 than it is probably ok. Some parts stores will check your battery and alternator for free.
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Can anyone tell me how to tell if the alternator is bad or going out on my 1993 silverado?
Perhaps thids might help... http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_do_you_tell_if_the_battery_or_the_alternator_is_bad
Plymouth Voyager alternator going bad How do you tell?
There are generally two signs that the alternator is going bad. First is the noise. A new noise will begin to be heard. Something like a whining when the car is accelerating. Second is the smell. You may smell burning from the engine department.
How do you know when the alternator is going bad?
When your battery does not get charge.
How can you tell when an alternator bearing goes bad on a Jeep Wrangler?
Take the belt off and spin the alternator by hand. If you hear a grinding noise, like sand rubbing on metal, its probably going bad. Also try to wiggle the pulley up/down/left/right. If it wiggles, the bearings are going bad. Of coarse you can always wait until they get so bad they shatter and the alternator wont spin at all, like i did. :(
Does an alternator make noises when it is going bad?
If bearings go bad they will "squeal"
Alternator keeps going bad?
There are a few reasons why your alternator might keep going bad such as rusty latches under the car. You may also have leaks, dents, or parts that need to be replaced on the vehicle that are effecting your alternator.
What causes the alternator to stop working?
How to Tell If Your Car Alternator Is Bad Check related link below…
Why is your alternator making a noise?
Normally this is the bearings going bad.
What are symptoms of bad alternator?
There are several signs that an alternator is going bad. A few signs are dim lights, smell, warning lights, and a dead battery.
What are the chances of an alternator fuse going bad before the actual alternator on a Ford E-250 van?
good
Why are your head lights dim on your 1999 Chevy Venture?
Alternator is going out? battery is going bad?
What noises does a bad alternator make?
A bad alternator will make whats called a whirring noise. It could also make a low growl. This is just the bearings going bad. If your alternator is not supplying any power, it has nothing to do with noise typically.
