2006-11-14 03:56:00 · 8 answers · asked by Anonymous in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
All these folks wanting you to dis-connect your battery while the car is running didn't offer to pay for the "fried" electronics did they? Don't do that, it can cause ECM and component failure!
The other suggestions are good, the best is drive to AutoZone and let them test it free!
You can do this test yourself though. When an alternator is producing power, there will be a magnetic pull around the rear of the housing. Hold a screwdriver there and see if you feel the magnetism. This won't however tell you if it is producing full amperage, only that it is energizing.
2006-11-14 07:48:48 · answer #1 · answered by br549 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't listen to these idiots. The battery buffers the alternator voltage. If you disconnect it while the car's running you could fry the electronics. Fork over $15 for a voltmeter.
2006-11-14 10:17:20 · answer #2 · answered by Nomadd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take off the negative battery cable while the engine is running and if the car shuts down the alternator is going bad if not you have a great alternator. Or you can go to advance auto parts.
2006-11-14 04:01:25 · answer #3 · answered by shovelhead182005 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You can turn the key to the ACC ON position (2nd click) and watch the lights that light up on the dash. If the battery indicator lights up, then the alternator's charging the battery. Start the vehicle. While it's running, disconnect one of the battery terminals. If the alternator's good, the engine shouldn't die off.
2006-11-14 04:15:05 · answer #4 · answered by virgil_rozario 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Start the car and disconnect the battery. If the car stops running the alternator is bad, if it runs, the alternator is good.
2006-11-14 04:24:06 · answer #5 · answered by smoke 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do what shovelhead said, except turn on your headlights and heater fan.
Pull the negative terminal off while it's running, and rev the engine a bit to about 3,000 rpm. If it shuts down, it's the alternator.
Turn the key off and then reconnect the battery.
2006-11-14 04:19:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Turn your key to the #2 postion (postion 3 is start) If you hear a buzz sound it is working.
2006-11-14 04:04:45 · answer #7 · answered by Jody 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take it to any auto zone store,they will check it for you for free.
2006-11-14 03:59:43 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋