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Alternators

An alternator is an old term for electric generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy producing alternating current. Alternators are mainly used for recharging batteries and to power electrical loads of vehicles.

4,629 Questions

Why does alternating current allow power transmission?

First of all, it's energy that's being transmitted, not power! Power merely tells us the rate at which energy is being transmitted.

Next, it's a complete misconception to think that energy is delivered by electrons which, then, return to the source to collect more energy -rather like a conveyor belt! Electrons move far too slowly for that to happen (an individual electron is unlikely to travel the length of a flashlight's filament before the battery runs down!). It's far more likely that energy is delivered in the space around (rather than through) the supply wires due to a combination of the electric and magnetic fields, called the 'Poynting Field' (check this out on the internet).

Finally, if we think of 'positive' power as the rate at which energy is being transmitted in the 'forward' direction (i.e. from the source to the user) then, during the negative half-cycles of a.c. current and voltage, the product (P =EI) is still positive. So it matters not whether it is being 'delivered' by d.c. or a.c.

How do you polarize a 6 volt voltage regulator in a 1948 Oldsmobile?

Build a jumper wire with small alligator clips at each end.

Find the "B" terminal on the regulator and attach one of the alligator clips, find the "D" terminal and touch the terminal with the other alligator clip. You can touch the terminals a few times and it will produce a soft light spark. Under no circumstances touch the "F" terminal or any other part of the regulator or you could damage the regulator. Start the car and make sure the generator charges properly by the gauge indication.

What is the difference between a 1 wire and 2 wire alternator?

2 wire has a live wire to energise the field where as the single wire alternator self energises and does not need the powered feed.

How do you replace the alternator on a Honda Accord?

You need a new alternator on a 1998? Wow! I had to replace one on a 1986 about two years ago, and the one I removed was in it when the car left the factory.

Having changed a few alternators in Accords, I almost think pulling the engine would be the easiest way to accomplish this job. Some guys will tell you this isn't necessary, but I think the easiest way to change the alternator in an Accord is to remove the left-hand drive axle.

Short, simple version: unhook the ground cable from your battery, remove the alternator belt and all the wires going to the alternator except for the largest one, then unbolt the alternator, work it around until it's below the car, and unhook the big one. Put the big wire onto the new alternator, finesse it into the engine compartment, bolt it up, put the rest of the wires and the belt on, adjust the belt, hook the battery back up and you're done.

The reason for the big wire being hooked up all through this is understandable: if you drop the alternator and get hit in the head, it's gonna hurt; the big wire will keep this from happening.

AnswerHow do I replace the new alternator for Honda Accord '98 EX V6?

Answer:

There is no information given in the question on what year Accord, or what engine. An alternator change on the 4 cylinder 1990-1997 Accords is easy, and is accessible from on top, not underneath the vehicle.

What is the cost to replace an alternator in a 2005 Pontiac grand am?

it should be somewhere between $120-150. just make sure you have your old one out because you have to return it to get you core charge. they take the broken ones and rebuilt them. it'll save you about $60. or you can go to a salvage yard and get one for around $30-50. if your low on cash that's the best route. i get mine from advanced auto. they have the best prices and they carry ac delco. in my opinion that's the best manufacture. good luck!

Can a bad alternator be the reason a 1995 Eclipse will not start even with a new battery?

It could be the starter. The alternator only charges a battery.

It could be a bad ECU, if you don't see "check engine" light up when ignition is turned to "ON" position, then It may be that the ECU needs to be replaced.

im gsboi101. If you put a new battery then it could be the white wire from the positive connection that fallen off. Check all wire that suppose to connect to the Postive side of the battery.

i had a problem like that and took it to a shop it was a relay sensor behind the dashboard.it cost around $120. to have it fixed.

I had a similar problem, get a gage that will test the charge of your battery. Test the charge, then take all the wires off of the red clip on the battery and test again to see if it's the same charge, if not - one of those wires is holding ur battery down. Try playing with it - taking off only 1 wire a time and testing it's charge until u find that one wire. U will quickly learn what this wire does, mine turned off my inside car lights, radio, and the ability to roll up windows when car is turned off before i open door. to know if it's ur alternator, turn on ur car, then take off the red clip from the battery. if the car stays on, it's not ur alternator. Ur battery only starts ur car, the alternator holds the charge to keep it on. So if the carn turns off when u take off the red clip to ur battery, chances are - it's ur alternator

If u have an off market alarm, this could do this too. I had a kill switch on my Prestige alarm, and i had to completely remove the alarm when my alarm started acting up and my kill switch was disabled.

We probably need more information. You can pretty much guarantee it's not the alternator.

Does it turn over at all? If it DOES then it's not the starter, battery or alternator. You need to make sure you're getting spark and that it's not something a little deeper than you think. If it DOESN'T then it's probably the starter, the starter solenoid or the main fuse. Check the fuse box and make sure all the fuses look fine. Your next step would be to replace the starter and/or solenoid after making sure the wires to them are not broken somewhere.

How do you test auto alternators?

Either bring to auto parts store for checking or Use a voltmeter With engine off and a fully charged battery reading should be around 12.8 With engine running and a good alternator voltage should be 13.8-14.2

Alternator belt on a 1994 galant?

if your looking at you engine from the front view it goes your power steering belt followed by your alternator belt then at the back bottom is you a/c belt

How a car starts?

The battery provides the electric power to turn the starter which turns the flywheel which turns the crankshaft which moves the pistons and petrol is injected from the carburetor or fuel injector with the spark plugs providing the spark to ignite the spray of petrol to start the engine

How do you replace alternator on a Chrysler 300m?

Before proceeding always make sure the engine is off and ignition keys are removed. The battery cables should be disconnected for electrical safety.The first step to replacing the alternator is using a bar to depress the belt tensioner pulley. This will free the serpentine drive belt for release. Next using a hand or power tool the bolts holding the alternator can be removed. Finally bolt in the new alternator and reinstall the serpentine belt. Reattach the battery cables and start the engine to complete the install.

How can you tell if you need a new alternator or a new alternator belt?

First check the belt. If it is loose then tighten it until you have a 1/2 " deflection at dead center. If the belt is frayed or looks bad, replace it. Check the voltage output at the battery posts with a multimeter set to DC voltage in the 20 volt range engine idling. You should get from 13.5 to 16 volts. Any more or less and the alternator is bad.

Later vehicles use a flat belt in place of the v belt. If there is not an auto adjust system, adjust the belt so that just 90o of twist can be achieved in the longest free part of the belt. Before you condemn the alternator check that all the grounding cable connections between the battery and engine/transmission and the body are clean and tight.

How do you tell when alternator is bad on ford?

the same way you test any alternator. use a volt meter and put one lead on the positive and one on the negative of the battery and see if the volts are more than 13volts. if it is above 13 it is charging

Where is the voltage regulator in a 1990 Dodge Ram 250?

Sorry to tell you but if someone said to adjust it....that means go buy a new alt. because nowdays there are manufactured with the voltage regulators in the alternators.

**The voltage regulator is built-in to the ECM...about a $275 part! However, before you jump to conclusions about the voltage regulator being defective, I'd highly recommend that you go visit the autozone website and follow the "Check charging system" word for word. I discovered that the alternator in my 1990 Dodge van wasn't grounding? How could that be? It's bolted to a metal bracket, right? Could be corrosion, could be rust? I even installed a second ground strap from engine to body. Nothing worked until I ran a ground wire from the battery to the alternator case. Charged just great then! Of course I discovered this after first replacing the alternator and the ECM! Don't you make the same (expensive) mistake.

Does using electrical power in your car like seat heaters use more gas?

Yes, any extra electrical load will cause the alternator to work harder which will cause the engine to have to work harder which will use more gas.

How do you change a foglight on an Oldsmobile Alero?

When mine went out the dealer replaced it...evidently it was included in the warranty...you can also call a GM dealer and talk to the part or garage and they can tell you how to do it..it should also be in the owners manual.

To replace the foglight, remove the headlight by pulling on two tabs straight up. Then wiggle the headlight towards the front of the car. Directly below the where the headlight was is the foglight. Twist about a 1/4 turn and pull directly out. Be careful not to touch the new bulb.

What is the wattage of the alternator on a Ford engine?

That could vary widely. Year, model, and engine size would all be helpful in finding the correct answer.

How you diagnose difference between Alternator Starter or Battery going bad in a 1999 Volkswagon Passat?

Will it "jump start"? If so, it's not the starter. If not, it could be starter, cable or other wiring problems. If it will start using a "jump start", you probably have either a loose or corroded battery connection or your battery isn't fully charged. If it's not fully charged it can be either a bad battery or the alternator. If you can't take it someplace to have the battery tested, try this simple alternator test: Jump-start the vehicle then remove the jumper cables. Borrow, rent or buy a volt meter and test the voltage at the battery. With the engine running at around 1000 to 1500 RPM, your meter should read about 13.5 Volts, +/- a half a volt. If it's close to that, have someone keep the engine running then turn on some of the accessories that draw the most current, such as the heater motor, headlights and rear window defroster. The voltage shouldn't drop with all of those accessories running. If the voltage drops below about 13 V under load, you probably have an alternator problem.

Can a repo man ram your vehicle while you are still in it?

No. You can not be pulled over or forced out of your vehicle during a repossession. It has to, by law, be accomplished "peacably."