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How do you know whether it is the alternator or battery causing the car not to start?
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
There is an easy test of the alternator that you can do when the car is running. With the car running, and the hood popped open, hold the end of a long (preferrably a long one but any screwdriver will do) flathead screwdriver to the center of the pulley wheel on the alternator. Don't worry at all; it's not dangerous whatsoever. If the alternator is good, the screwdriver will be sucked to the wheel because there is magnetism from the electricity of the alternator. If the alternator is bad, it won't be sucked to the wheel. It will just bounce slightly. Sometimes, it is hard to destinguish between the two if you don't have experience. It doesn't suck real hard nor does it bounce very much; but there certainly is a difference. You should be able to figure it out though because if the alternator is good it will hold/ suck the end of the screwdriver onto the pulley wheel. You can't miss it. Also, how old is your battery? If it is 5 years old, then there is a good chance that it is the battery. Also, a bad neutral safety switch will act like a dead battery.
Wiki User
∙ 16y ago
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Why does Ford Mondeo sometimes not start without a jump?
weak or faulty battery, faulty alternator (or slipping alternator belt causing battery not to charge) or faulty starter motor
How do you know whether its your battery or your alternator?
Start the engine and using a digital volt meter check the voltage at the battery with the engine running. If the alternator is good you will read from 13.5 to 15.5 volts DC.
If I'm on my third alternator in my 2000 Toyota Sienna in a year something is killing them what is killing my alternator?
i would start by testing the battery , i have seen cases where the battery was good enough to start the vehicle but was causing the alternator to do all the work resulting in premature failure. my f150 went through a brand new ford alternator in 2 months .
Will a van start if you need a new alternator?
As long as the battery is fully charged it will start no matter the condition of the alternator. Eventually the battery will run down if the alternator is not keeping it charged.
Your car won't start and its not the battery?
alternator?
Will a car start if the alternator is going out?
It will start if there is enough charge in the battery to turn the engine over. However if the alternator is weak then the battery will not be charged fully.
Should your car start right after changing the alternator?
If the battery is fully charged and the starter is working properly it will turn over and start. The alternators sole purpose is to supply voltage to the vehicle and battery when the engine is running. When the engine is not running the alternator has nothing to do with starting the engine. If the alternator went bad and the battery was discharged then you will have to charge the battery before it will be able to start the engine. Do not jump start the engine with a dead battery if you can avoid it. This puts a strain on the alternator trying to recharge a dead battery and can damage the alternator, even a new one.
Do alternator your make the car start?
No, your battery supplies power to the starter. However if your alternator is defective then it will not supply power to the battery and the battery will soon be depleted.
1997 cavalier will not start after alternator change?
did you unhook the battery before replacing the alternator
What is wrong with 2002 intrigue when it will start if boosted for few days and then won't alternator and battery check good?
Probably have a 'parasitic load'. This is something causing an abnormal battery drain while the car is off.
If the battery is going out will the alternator still power the car?
the battery job is to start the car so the alternator will kick in after the car is running
Can a car start with a bad alternator?
Yes it can as long as the battery is charged . The purpose of the alternator is to put the power used back into the battery.
