Reply to "Alternator - how do I check it?"

panteradougMember

Very, very simple. You do need a multimeter though.

Find the cars battery. Identify the terminals.

Start the car. Let it idle.

Set the multimeter on the 15v dc setting.

Touch one lead to the red terminal= plus, the black lead to the - terminal.

The reading should be 13.3 to 13.8v. If it is, alternator is good.

If it is 12.5 or less, alternator is not working and the car is running on the battery.

If it is 15.8v, the battery is run down and is charging. Let the car run 10 minutes. Voltage should drop to 13.8 while running. If it does, regulator is good too.

Shut the car off. Read the battery again. If it is 12.5, battery is full charged.

Let it sit for a hour or so. Read the battery again. Should be at least 12.2.

If you are at 11.8 or lower, battery is on the way out. Replace it asap.

8/24/1512:23 PM

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