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Your vehicle died you jump started it and it ran for 20miles then died is it alternator or battery?
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
Its most likely the alternator especially if it could not be kept going the second time around. *****There is a simple test of the alternator. The car needs to be running. While it's running with the hood up, hold the end of a long screwdriver against the center of the pulley on the alternator. Don't worry - it's not dangerous although the alternator pulley is spinning. If the alternator is good, then it will hold the screwdriver up against the pulley because of magnetism from the electricity. If the alternator is bad, the screwdriver will bounce around ever so slightly. Let me put it this way: if the alternator is good then you will know it - it holds the screwdriver right against the spinning pulley. The other thing to ask yourself is, how old is the battery? If it is five years old, then it's probably the battery. The date of the battery should be punched out/ stamped on it somewhere. Go ahead and do that test. It works like a charm.
Wiki User
∙ 15y ago
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Is there a way to determine whether it is your battery or alternator that needs to be fixed in a 2001 Bonneville?
If you can get your vehicle started you can then un hook the battery while it is running and if your vehicle stays running then your alternator is good. If it stalls and dies as soon as you unhook the battery then the alternator is not good.If you can get your vehicle started you can then un hook the battery while it is running and if your vehicle stays running then your alternator is good. If it stalls and dies as soon as you unhook the battery then the alternator is not good.
What does the alternator do for your vehicle?
the work of an alternator is to charge up the battery while the vehicle is in motion
Why is the alternator regulated?
An alternator is regulated to prevent overcharging of the vehicle's battery.
Why is your car not starting and the battery keeps dying?
Possibly a bad alternator. The Alternator charges the battery when the vehicle is running. If the battery is not being charged this could cause the vehicle not to start.
Why would a 98 Saturn SL1 with original battery take a jump run but won't start again after it is shut off any thoughts?
A battery is for starting the vehicle. After the vehicle is started, the alternator takes over. Your battery is bad.
How do you know when you need an alternator?
A new battery or one that tested good is in the vehicle and the car is still losing power. the alternator is what charges the battery while the vehicle is operating.
Will a bad alternator keep a 1999 S10 pickup truck from starting?
The answer is no . The battery starts you vehicle , the alternator charges the battery so if your alternator is bad your battery is not receiving a charge which will cause a "no start" condition.
Will a dead alternator drain a battery?
Yes. If the alternator is dead and you drive the vehicle, all the power is coming from the battery and it will eventually drain completely. Also, if a diode is shorted inside the alternator, that can drain a battery.
Can an alternator charge a car battery?
That is the purpose of an alternator. The keep the battery charged and to run all the electrics on the vehicle. However it is never a good idea to allow the alternator to charge a dead battery. This will put a strain on the alternator and may damage it.
Can a car still run if the battery is dead i.e. will the alternator if working properly keep the car running until the ignition is shut off?
The battery on a vehicle is primarily used only for starting the vehicle and providing power for such things as parking lights, radio etc for when the vehicle is switched off and stationary. The vehicle, when started and running will happily provide its own required electrics by means of its alternator/generator ! Todays alternators require power from a battery to excite the alternator into producing power unlike the old generators.
How do you find alternator or battery is bad or not?
Sometimes, with the vehicle running, you can remove the positive lead from the battery and the vehicle with either keep running or stop. If it stops that can mean the alternator is bad. This is not 100% accurate, depending on the type vehicle, etc.
Recharges the battery and supplies power for your vehicle's electrical system?
The alternator or generator depending on the vehicle.
