alternators - Ford Forums

11-13-2005, 19:01

how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
Kirk

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11-13-2005, 21:01

On Sun, 13 Nov 2005 17:38:27 -0800, kirk doyle rearranged some electrons
to form:

> how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
> Kirk

Put a voltmeter on the battery terminals while the engine is running.
Make sure you have at least 13.5 volts. If not, the alternator is not
charging properly.

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David M (dmacchiarolo)
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11-14-2005, 13:01

"kirk doyle" <captkirk55@direcway.com> wrote in message
news:4377e1d7$0$20287$892e4abb@news.lightningnews.com...
> how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
> Kirk
>

Many auto parts stores will check it for free. Auto Zone is one of them.
They can check your battery too.

>
> --
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11-14-2005, 14:01

By far the easiest way is to go to Advance Auto Parts, or about any of the
chains. They have a machine that can test the alternator and battery with
them still in the car. They can even load test the alternator. Best of
all, it's free.

CJB

"kirk doyle" <captkirk55@direcway.com> wrote in message
news:4377e1d7$0$20287$892e4abb@news.lightningnews.com...
> how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
> Kirk
>
> --
> LIGHTNING NEWS
> Newsgroup access for as little as $5 per month
> Private & Anonymous!
> LIGHTNING fast Unscensored Downloads!
> ALL THE NEWSGROUPS at www.lightningnews.com

11-15-2005, 16:01

David M wrote:
> On Sun, 13 Nov 2005 17:38:27 -0800, kirk doyle rearranged some electrons
> to form:
>
> > how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
> > Kirk
>
> Put a voltmeter on the battery terminals while the engine is running.
> Make sure you have at least 13.5 volts. If not, the alternator is not
> charging properly.
>
> --
And turn on all the lights and accessories for a load check.

11-16-2005, 03:01

Another sure fire way to check your alt. if you have access to it. while the
engine gunning, hold a screw driver close to the center of the back housing.
There should be a very strong magnet pull to the screw.driver! it will pull
it quickly to the center of the rear of the alt.(it is the place where, on
most, it looks like a smell freeze plug covering the end of the armature)!
"kirk doyle" <captkirk55@direcway.com> wrote in message
news:4377e1d7$0$20287$892e4abb@news.lightningnews.com...
> how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
> Kirk
>
> --
> LIGHTNING NEWS
> Newsgroup access for as little as $5 per month
> Private & Anonymous!
> LIGHTNING fast Unscensored Downloads!
> ALL THE NEWSGROUPS at www.lightningnews.com

12-13-2005, 13:01

"sergesleo" wrote:
> how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
> Kirk
>
>
> --
> LIGHTNING NEWS
> Newsgroup access for as little as $5 per month
> Private & Anonymous!
> LIGHTNING fast Unscensored Downloads!
> ALL THE NEWSGROUPS at www.lightningnews.com

the easiet way to do it would be to loosen the battery connection on
one end and turn the vehicle on and then take the battery connection
off, if the car stalls that means your alternator is no good

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12-13-2005, 13:01

This can damage the voltage regulator on some alternators. Better to do
a load test with the engine running. Proper voltage (13.5ish)with
increased load and charging current indicates a properly functioning
alternator.

melly717 wrote:
> "sergesleo" wrote:
> > how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
> > Kirk
> >
> >
> > --
> > LIGHTNING NEWS
> > Newsgroup access for as little as $5 per month
> > Private & Anonymous!
> > LIGHTNING fast Unscensored Downloads!
> > ALL THE NEWSGROUPS at www.lightningnews.com
>
> the easiet way to do it would be to loosen the battery connection on
> one end and turn the vehicle on and then take the battery connection
> off, if the car stalls that means your alternator is no good
>

12-13-2005, 13:01

Sorry, that should have read: proper voltage and charging current under
increased load indicate a properly functioning alternator.

Stephen wrote:

> This can damage the voltage regulator on some alternators. Better to do
> a load test with the engine running. Proper voltage (13.5ish)with
> increased load and charging current indicates a properly functioning
> alternator.
>
> melly717 wrote:
>
>> "sergesleo" wrote:
>> > how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
>> > Kirk > > > -- > LIGHTNING NEWS
>> > Newsgroup access for as little as $5 per month
>> > Private & Anonymous!
>> > LIGHTNING fast Unscensored Downloads!
>> > ALL THE NEWSGROUPS at www.lightningnews.com
>>
>> the easiet way to do it would be to loosen the battery connection on
>> one end and turn the vehicle on and then take the battery connection
>> off, if the car stalls that means your alternator is no good
>>
>

12-13-2005, 17:01

On Tue, 13 Dec 2005 19:36:47 +0000, melly717 rearranged some electrons to
form:

> "sergesleo" wrote:
> > how do you check to see if your alternator is going bad?
> > Kirk
> >
> >
> > --
> > LIGHTNING NEWS
> > Newsgroup access for as little as $5 per month
> > Private & Anonymous!
> > LIGHTNING fast Unscensored Downloads!
> > ALL THE NEWSGROUPS at www.lightningnews.com
>
> the easiet way to do it would be to loosen the battery connection on
> one end and turn the vehicle on and then take the battery connection
> off, if the car stalls that means your alternator is no good

Please don't take this extremely bad advice. The poster doesn't
know what he's talking about. Doing the above is likely to
damage the regulator, the computers, and many other portions
of the car's electronics. What the poster suggests will cause
a load dump and a large voltage spike on your electrical system.

Instead, measure the battery voltage while the engine is running,
with some load on it (ie. headlights). If it is around 13.8 volts
the alternator is probably OK. You can take the vehicle to any
of your local parts stores; most of them will do a free
load test of the battery and charging system.

--
David M (dmacchiarolo)
http://home.triad.rr.com/redsled
T/S 53
sled351 Linux 2.4.18-14 has been up 2 days 5:59