Do you just use a standard volt/amp meter?
2006-11-23 02:53:37 · 4 answers · asked by cache_n_seek 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Is it really a generator or an alternator?
Knowing the year of the vehicle would go a long way in giving a correct answer.
Basically, regardless of which it is, what cooperman said is true but that is a system test. The voltage regulator used to fail on the older systems.
The most crude but effective way of testing "in the field" was to start it up, remove the ground wire from the battery. If it continued to run, the charging system was good.
2006-11-23 04:33:30 · answer #1 · answered by Mikel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If its fitted to the engine, then put a voltmeter across your battery and measure the volts (12Volts av.). Now start the engine, if the voltmeter rises to 14 Volts then the alternator is OK. If the volts remain the same then replacement generator is required.
2006-11-23 11:06:26 · answer #2 · answered by cooperman 5 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Do not follow cooperman's suggestion. He obviously does not know the difference between and alternator and a generator!
2006-11-23 12:14:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
a ampmeter you need to test the amp output you can have normal voltage but without the proper amperage.
ase tech
2006-11-23 11:28:17 · answer #4 · answered by moe h 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋