Alternator working?

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Apr 7, 2008 | 09:02 PM

damlie

Thread Starter

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Joined: Nov 2007

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From: Honolulu HI

Alternator working?

Other than waiting to see if my battery completely fails on me is there any way to tell if my alternator is working? I replaced the old bolts on the casing this weekend and now I'm having a few odd electrical glitches (eg: radio cut off a couple times, turn signals dimmer than normal, etc), so it's got me worried.

Apr 7, 2008 | 09:17 PM

croaker

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Joined: May 2006

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From: Centerville Louisiana

Quote:

Originally Posted by damlie

Take a screwdriver and touch it to the bushing on the back of the alternator it should have a magnetic pull or pull it off and bring it to the Auto Zone or any of the other stores who check them the screwdriver method has always worked for me

Apr 7, 2008 | 09:24 PM

damlie

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From: Honolulu HI

I'm assuming the car has to be on for this to work right?

Apr 7, 2008 | 09:30 PM

sperkins

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Joined: Oct 2005

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From: Macon, GA

Why not just check it with a volt meter?

Apr 7, 2008 | 10:19 PM

comp

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Joined: Sep 2003

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From: eville in

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperkins

Why not just check it with a volt meter?

first test ,, then a load test

Apr 8, 2008 | 12:16 AM

I'm Batman

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From: Springfield MO

St. Jude Donor '07

Quote:

Originally Posted by sperkins

Why not just check it with a volt meter?

That's why there's an electrical meter in the dash...

Apr 8, 2008 | 08:47 AM

GaryS

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Joined: May 1999

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From: Moon Township PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by croaker

Whoa! I wouldn't be doing that unless you want to risk damaging your alternator. Why not go to Home Depot/Lowes and buy a $10 multimeter. Put it on DC and check the voltage at the battery. With the engine running you should have 14.3 +/- volts. Off it should show 12v. Or, do what the poster suggests in the second half of his suggestion. By buying your own multimeter, you will then have it for future use.

Gary