Battery/alternator question
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Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
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From: Zanesville OH
Battery/alternator question
I'm really dumb when it comes to electrical stuff. I had to put a new battery in my '99 yesterday. Even though it was the original battery I was surprised it died since it made it thru storage all winter and has been fine for the last couple weeks. So I started wondering if my alternator is bad. My question is, does the voltage guage measure the battery or the alternator? How can I check to see if the alternator is bad? Am I even spelling alternator right? Thanks for the help!
Tim
Tim
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Hi Tim, The reading on the DIC is the charging voltage - what the alternator is producing. Normal range to see is between about 13.5 and 14.4(ish), and you can see it vary as the load on the engine changes (i.e. when AC compressor cycles, that kind of thing).
Burning Brakes
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Originally Posted by ptdrummer54
Hi Tim, The reading on the DIC is the charging voltage - what the alternator is producing. Normal range to see is between about 13.5 and 14.4(ish), and you can see it vary as the load on the engine changes (i.e. when AC compressor cycles, that kind of thing).
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Based on your voltage reading, I'd say your alternator is fine.
