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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
How do you diagnose bad alternator?
Start the truck then disconnect the battery if it's still running the alternator is good
What are signs of an alternator going bad on 2001 Saturn sl1?
noisy bearings would be the most readily observable sign that an alternator is failing. A noisy bearing will translate into extra heat, which will cause the diodes to fail.
Beyond that, look for low output (dimming lights) or perhaps excessive static through the radio. Some static can be caused by other sources, so you'll need to have the charging system checked to be sure, and if the lights only dim a little while the engine is at an idle, it may be more of a battery issue than a failing alternator.
Diodes can fail at any time, making an alternator useless, but they don't generally give much warning. Brushes can wear, and they too don't generally offer much warning. Windings can fail, but that is generally the result of some other problem, and the solid state regulator is just like any other transistorized device; it can fail from heat or just plain age, but it doesn't give a warning either.
Other than their size and the way they mount to the vehicle, alternators are pretty much the same for all vehicles.
Always test parts thoroughly before just replacing something.
Why does the alternator make a clicking noise?
What you are hearing is the clutch on the air conditioning pump engaging... the alternator doesn't make any noise unless the bearings are going bad and then a grinding noise will be heard.
Do you have to charge your battery after you replace your alternator?
Yes, if the voltage level is too low to start the car.
How can you tell a 105 amp from a 130 amp alternator in a 2002 Tahoe?
Look at the back of the alternator, particularly the black plastic cover on the back. The black plastic cover on a 105 amp alternator will have a small opening divided into three parts. The 130 amp alternator will have multiple openings.
How do you loosen the slack on an alternator belt for a 97 Pontiac Sunfire?
If you're changing the alternator, you can loosen it's bolts to gain some slack, but you'll need more.
This is done using the belt tensioner. It's a pulley looking thing in the belt path. On my '96, it's down and back from the alternator. It's surface is often very shiny and it has what looks like a nut on the front. If you put a wrench or socket on the nut, you can rotate the entire assembly away from the belt. That will let you get the belt on or off.
The Haynes manual has a pretty good illustration.
FriPilot
How do you remove a Kia Optima alternator?
First you need to unclip the wiring harness, the unscrew the hot wire, then loosen the tensioner, the at the bottom of the alternator the is a big screw that holds it in unscrew that and pull the screw out and boom the alternator is out!!
This is an easy answer. The alternator is hooked
(through wires blue and black) to the battery. So every time you
start an engine the alternator kicks on and charges the battery. That's
practically how it works.
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To add a bit to the above- an alternator produces an alternating electrical current (unlike a generator, which produces a direct current- DC vs AC) On modern cars, the alternator produces the current used to charge the battery, and operate electrical equipment on the car, such as lights, wipers, radio, etc.
Why would a 1996 Ford Contour still not charge after the alternator has been changed?
Sounds to Me Like You may have a voltage regulater problum. GM cars have inturnal Regultors. Fords have exturnal reglaters.try checking the reglater. Good Luck Darwin B. Fuse-fuselink-ground or U don't have 12 volts from the ignition switch 2 the alternator BUT-(IF) it does have an external regulator-- make SURE u use a MOTOR CRAFT regulator-after market regs usally don't last!!& make sure U have 12 volts from the ALTERNATOT 2 the STARTER The 96 contour, and I think the '95-'98 as well, has a 'maxifuse' hidden underneath the air-intake box covering the air-intake manifold (not the filter box!). You will find (up near the firewall on the belt side of the engine) a black plastic box about an inch wide and roughly 3 inches long. It is not listed in the repair manuals, and is usually the reason no power is being produced by the alternator. We replaced 3 alternators before finding this thing.
Where is diagram for 94 cavalier alternator belt?
Usually, you can find the routing diagram for the serpentine belt under the hood of the vehicle. Most common locations are on the shock towers, or the plastic cover on top of the radiator support, near the hood latch. If you cannot locate the diagram, your best (easiest)bet is to purchase a Haynes repair manual at the local auto parts store.
Car Radios take very little energy to run, so it'll take many hours of non-use to kill the battery. It is probably the wiring of the radio that is wrong. The radio should fully go off when car goes off. There needs to be a positive a negative and a wire hooked up under the fuse box to allow radio to come on when car comes on and go off when car goes off. You should be able to figure this out by the color of the wires on your wire hareness (wire adapter for radio to stock connector.) or just bring your car and radio to a car audio shop and they can do it for you.
If so, it would only be a dead battery, and a jump start would get you going again.
battery check.....did you get a battery with enough chranks per cycle????? really need more info. 1. cold weather and you turn the ignition. did you hear anything from the starter???? 2. are the lights working when the car is off and cold. 3. you could be in a place like MN and need an engine warmer... sorry dude or dudet you need more info.....
How do you replace the alternator on a 1997 Mazda 323?
Disconnect negative of battery, disconnect/unplug wiring from alternator, remove adjuster bracket and bolts, loosen alternator through bolt and remove belt. Unbolt brake fluid master cylinder (2x 12mm head nuts) and remove from servo unit and push to one side. If brake pipes are tight you may need to disconnect these also (remembering to bleed brakes afterwards). You should now be able lift alternator off mount and carefully lift it out between servo and rear of engine. Refitting is in reverse order.
How do you replace the alternator on a Mazda B2300?
(1)Disconnect the negative cable from the battery; (2)remove the air cleaner assembly; (3)unplug the electrical connectors from the alternator; (4)remove the electrical connector bracket (if equipped); (5)remove the drivebelt; (6)remove the three bolts holding the alternator to its mounting bracket;(7)installation is the reverse of removal. - Mazda Pickups Repair Manual
the only thing that is left is the regulator which should have being replaced first in the first place Rocky_B - See my entry here for more things you might want to check: http://wiki.answers.com/Q/What_could_be_wrong_if_the_battery_light_stays_on_and_the_battery_still_runs_down_on_a_1996_windstar_after_installing_a_new_battery_and_alternator
What is synchronous reactance in alternator?
The overall reactance of the armature winding is the sum of its leakage reactance plus fictitious reactance, which is known as synchronous reactance (Xs).
Xs=XL+Xar
where XL and Xar are in Ω/phase. Therefore, Xs is in Ω/phase.
The impedance of armature winding is obtained by combining its resistance and its synchronous reactance.
How much should it cost to replace the alternator in a gmc envoy?
About $370 in Minnesota, with a new alternator.
Why is voltage regulation important in alternator?
because the voltage should be constant as the full transmission grid need ame voltage for synchronization of alternatos of grid
Can an alternator be repaired or does it have to be replaced?
The field winding carbon brush may have worn down and need replacing. The unit can be tested by spinning the pulley and applying +12 volts to the field winding if the pulley now resists turning it is generating electricity. The diode pack may need replacement but they are pretty robust these days, That leave the electronic charging control box to check. Look up costs of individual replacemnts and compare to an exchange unit, Your last option is to get one from an auto salvage dealer.
Why would a good alternator not charge a battery?
If the alternator is good and the battery does not charge, then the battery may be bad. There could be problem with the electronics. You will need to take it to a place where they sell batteries. They have equipment to check out the battery and the wiring.
To keep the battery recharged and to help run all the electronics on the vehicle.
