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Hey there friend To check if alternator is false or not there is a simple way of doing it without getting to tear entire car and cables apart. Before you do anything loosen the negative cable but so its still connected to batter.
Start the vehicle, if cant slave it off and start it, while vehicle is running disconnect the negative wire that you have loosened then if vehicle is running its good if it dies then your alternator went bad and needs replacement.
If you need to drive badly because cant get a ride to get to schucks or some auto parts store you can bang the heck out of the alternator with a hammer which will charge the coil inside and will loosen some of the dust that collected there. That should be enough for you to get to store and back.
Ansrwer #2
Removing a battery cable with the engine running is bad idea. It can cause a voltage spike that can damage the computers on the car.
The proper way to check the alternator output is to turn on all electrical loads (wipers, fans, rear window defroster etc.) and check the voltage with a voltmeter. It should be 13.5 to 14.5 volts.
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How do you know if the alternator is not charging?
Check the voltage at the battery with the engine running. It should read from 13.5 volts to 16 volts. If it reads lower than 13.5 volts the alternator is defective.
Why is battery lamp on 87 f150?
Check the output of the alternator--should be 14.2 volts
How do you know if you have bad alternator?
A simply check is to take a volt meter set to 20 volts DC and check the voltage at the battery posts with the engine running. It should read 13.5 − 16 volts. Any more or less and the alternator is defective.
How do you check Subaru alternator?
The easiest way to check any alternator in a car is to have the vehicle running and use a VOLT meter to read across that battery terminals. The voltage should be in the range of 13.4 volts to 14.5 volts..no lower, no higher. If either low voltage or high voltage exist, that alternator is probably defective.
2000 ranger new alternator and batter not charging?
There is a wire from the alternator to the starter motor. On the starter motor end, there is a fusible link that sometimes melts. With the engine off, check the battery volts and check the volts on the big red alternator wire. If they are not the same voltage, the link is open. If the link is open, the battery will not charge
Replaced battery and the battery warning stays on?
check the alternator. Use a digital multimeter and with engine running you should have 13-14 volts at the battery. If less than 12.5 Alternator is not charging Also check the amperage the alternator is putting out.
How do you know if it is the alternator that needs to be replaced?
Check the voltage at the battery with engine running. It should read 13.5 to 15.5 volts. Any less and the alternator is suspect.
How do you know you need to replace your alternator?
Check the voltage at the battery with engine running. It should read 13.5 to 15.5 volts. Any less and the alternator is suspect.
Your headlights are dimming is it the alternator?
Check the alternator out put with a voltmeter A fully charged battery should read approx. 12.8 volts without engine running With engine running reading should be 13.8-14.2 volts XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX ANSWER XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX The voltage regulator is built into the alternator. In some cases it is cheaper to replace the alternator.
How can you tell when an alternator is going bad?
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.
Will the alternator run the battery low?
If the alternator is not charging the battery, then it will eventually go dead If the voltage regulator (in the alternator) is defective it will eventually kill the battery Check the alternator with a voltmeter A fully charged battery (without engine running) should read approx. 12.8 volts With engine running should read 13.8-14.2 volts
How do you check an alternator?
Start the engine and connect a volt meter set on 20 Volts DC to the battery posts. Red probe to positive and black to negative. You should get a reading of from 13.5 to 16 volts. Any less or more and the alternator is defective.
