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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
Do new cars still have alternators?
Yes, most definitely. The alternator keeps the battery charged and runs all the electrical s in the vehicle.
How do you repair the alternator on a 1984 Chevy Monte Carlo?
Don't see any date here, so I don't know how likely it is you fixed your alternator. If not, this is one of the best pieces to work on and troubleshoot. I put together a whole bunch of my own curriculum that I used for nine years in a community college auto electrical class. The operation of this system is boiled down to a one-page document that explains how the system works. I can also give you troubleshooting tips, and can send you to a dandy parts supplier. You should know, however, that there are a lot of these in the "core" bins at the junkyards. I used to buy a lot of them for 2 bucks each, and could usually make three good units out of five. There's no reason you can't fix this alternator for just a few bucks, and an hour or two of your time.
Holler for more information. caradiodoc@verizon.net 715-359-6604 noon - midnight
U get out a dvometer & check that U only have continuity one way on your diode trio-THE comentator on the armature should not b shorted-brushes-look @-Voltage regulator takes a special machine the copper fields should have continuity & not an open.
How do you change the alternator on a 2001 Ford Focus?
how do i change the alternator in my 2001 ford focus?
How do you install a voltage regulator in Mercedes 1990 300e?
depending on your alternator, it will be on the back held on by 2 Phillips screws. it will either be in plain sight or under a black plastic cover. remover the two wires, and remove the small screws on back of cover. there are 3 plastic snap-locks on outside of cover. gently pull them to un snap the cover and slide cover off. volt reg is round black item about the size of a quarter held on by the aformentioned screws. its as easy as unscrewing and pulling off. install new one is two screws. it wil take you longer to jack the car up then to do this job. VERY easy for a d.i.y..
What would cause an Alternator belt on 88 Mazda Rx7 to keep breaking?
check how easily your alternator spins. it should turn pretty freely
also make sure youre using the proper size belt and not under/overtightening it
Where is the alternator located on a 2001vw jetta?
I don't have an exact answer for you because Jetta's came with a plain four cylinder (1.8L I think), a 1.8L turbocharged four cylinder, the 2.8L VR6 six cylinder, or the TDI diesel. To get a more specific answer from someone you will have to indicate your engine.
Regardless though, the alternator is driven by the serpentine belt, so if you can follow this around you should be able to fine the alternator. If you can't recognize it, you're probably not the one to put a wrench to it.
How can the frequency and voltage of an alternator be changed?
The frequency is changed by varying its speed, and the the voltage is changed by varying its field current.
How do you tell if the alternator is seized?
Seized should mean that it's not turning. Crank the engine and see if the alternator pulley spins or not.
How do you remove alternator Toyota Corolla?
which pully do i remove tension to remove the alternator?
Why might a car stall shortly after the oil and battery light came on and not start again?
It could be the alternater.
AnswerSome cars have a safety switch that shuts the engine off when the oilpressure is to low, but if those lights came on when the car stalled it might be because the lights on the instrument panel that turns on when you start the car usually turns on when it stalls.How do you loosen the tensioner pulley to change the alternator on a 1999 Mercury Cougar 6-cylinder?
I have loosen the tensioner pulley to change the belt. If that is what you are looking for perhaps this might help. Some places want to charge up to $90 for doing this because there is an engine mount on the very top which does not allow room enough to turn the pulley and release the belt. Make a diagram of the belt and the pulleys. If you have a floor jack take the top half of the handle or go to Lowes or Home Depot and purchase a 24" X 1" steel pipe, keep the receipt so you can return it. as long as you are at the store purchase a scrap piece of wood, a small piece of 2X4 or any board thicker than 1/2" it does not need to be that big. Ready??? Position the pipe on top of the pulley arm apposite to where it is mounted to the engine block, stand in front of the car, place the piece of wood on top of the pipe and place your chest on it, push down with your body while reaching any one of the pulleys and slide the belt to the side. Repeat to replace belt. Hope that helps. Rob, IL
How do you change the alternator in a 1994 Lincoln Continental?
Re: replacing a 95 alternator (Same for 94?) ---- It's a bit awkward to work in there, espesially on the front of the engine but you are correct, the Alternator is one of the top end components with only two things in the way....
The Power steering fluid Reservoir and the Coolant Recovery Bottle need to be dis-mounted and set aside.
The Alternator is 'solid mounted' meaning is not on a pivot mount for belt adjustment. The belt is the serpentine, single belt with a separate tensioner.
There is one solid mount bracket on the top of the Alternator that gets completely removed, then two more bolts from the lower end of the Alternator to the front of the engine.
Wires disconnect, and it's out..
Reverse all that and it's back in
How do you replace the alternator on a 2000 Audi A4 quarto T?
check out AUDIDIY.com
or......
1. Take off accessory belt
2. Take off belt tensioner (provides much more room to work with, I have big hands)
3. Unscrew cooling fan (bottom alternator bolt will not come out with fan in place)
4. Uncrew top and bottom bolts
5. Unscrew rear nut, detach clip.
6. Check which alternator you have, will most likely be a bosch 90amp or valeo 120amp.
7. Get new part and put it all back together.
Hope that helps
How do you replace the alternator on a 1970 volkswagen beetle?
Get John Muirs -"How to keep your Volkswagen alive, a manual for the Compleat Idiot" and Bentleys "workshop manual". They have a huge amount of info, John Muir is a "real world" work-book and the Bently Manual is the VW "Official Workshop Manual" . It's actually a Generator on early '72's and earlier unless it's been retrofitted already I believe, but any way they are removed the same. Mark the wires so you know where they go when you get it back together. Take the pulleys off, and then the band that holds the gen/alt to the stand and then take the four bolts off of the fan shroud. The fan is connected to the other side of that panel. That whole thing comes out so move what ever you can to be able to pull it out. When you have it out look on the other side and in the middle of the fan is a BIG nut. Take that off and the panels come loose. If it's an Alternator then remember how the panels are assembled as they also are set a certain way for the cooling of the Alternator.
Can you connect a 12 volt auto alternator to a 24 volt system to charge the batteries?
If you connect an alternator that has been designed for charging a 12 volt battery to any 24 volt system in an attempt to charge its batteries, that alternator will not work because of either of two different reasons:
- if the 24 volt battery is completely dead or flat the 12 volt alternator will not be able to charge it to much above 18 volts. That is about as much practical use as having a flat 24 volt battery!
- if the 24 volt battery is not "flat" but has a voltage that is in its normal range - between about 23 volts and 27 volts - the 12 volt alternator would not do anything because its output voltage cannot go high enough.
Some more facts:
12 volt systems
An alternator designed to charge a nominal 24 volt battery will have a voltage and current regulation system to control its output voltage between about 13.5 and 18 volts and an output current that could vary between zero and about 40 or 50 amps.
The overall range of current amperage output from the alternator would vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on the sizes of the alternator and battery and those in turn would be sized to match the likely normal current amperages drawn by the vehicle's ignition, night-time road lighting, air conditioning and other systems.
The actual charging voltage and current being output from the alternator at any instant depends on the "state of charge" of the 12 volt car battery. A nominal 12 volt lead-acid type car battery that is flat has a voltage of about 11.5 volts or less. One that is fully charged would have a voltage of about 13.5 volts.
24 volt systems
An alternator designed to charge a nominal 24 volt battery will have a voltage and current regulation system to control its output voltage between about 27 and 36 volts and an output current that could vary between zero and about maybe 80 or 100 amps.
The overall range of current amperage output from the alternator would vary from vehicle to vehicle depending on the sizes of its alternator and battery and those in turn would be sized to match the likely normal current amperages drawn by the vehicle's ignition, night-time road lighting, air conditioning and other systems.
The actual charging voltage and current being output from the alternator at any instant depends on the "state of charge" of the 24 volt vehicle battery. A nominal 24 volt lead-acid type battery that is flat has a voltage of about 23 volts or less. One that is fully charged would have a voltage of about 27 volts.
Only in the instance where two 12 volt batteries were connected in series to produce power for a 24 volt system, could a method be devised to use a 12 volt alternator to charge the batteries independently.
Why Battery will not stay charged alternator and battery are good?
something is causing a drain on the battery when switch is turned off
There could be so many different causes for this problem that it could require an entire training manual chapter to explain "what to check next."
In our area [southeast Texas] ALL of the major, nationwide auto parts chain-stores have handheld electrical/charging system analyzers with which they can check out vehicle electrical systems [including the charging/alternator and its associated circuits].
They simply take it to your vehicle in the parking lot and checkout the electrical system. In our area they do not charge any fee, it's free.
This is what I suggest you do to save time and money. If putting a new alternator on has not cured the failure to charge problem, then you probably spent a lot of money and effort to replace an expensive alternator that probably worked fine!!!!!
Can you bypass the computer to install a voltage regulator in a 1990 dodge b250?
Why would you want to bypass the computer? In any case the answer is no, you cannot by-pass the computer.
Check the charge on your alternater.
Is Nissans coil in the alternator?
It depends on what you mean by "coil." There are several different kinds of coils.
IF you mean the "Ignition Coil," then the answer is no, the ignition coil is not inside the alternator.
On the other hand, all alternators, generators, electric motors, etc., do have coils of wire inside, but those coils are generally referred to as "windings."
Why alternator not putting out voltage?
It's either been overloaded trying to charge a dead battery and fried itself, or there may be a burnt out fuse. Check connections and have the battery tested.
Have you verified that the replacment alternator is working? Test both the alternator and the battery. If a battery is allowed to go completely dead and then it sits for a few days it will "sulphate", meaning that the lead plates turn to lead sulphate, making them unable to hold a charge.
