I have a 1969 firebird... My battery died but I wanted to know if there is a way to test if the alternator is broken.
2007-07-11 12:30:28 · 5 answers · asked by sue666 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Most shops will do a charging system diagnostic for $15-20. This tests the battery and alternator and starter.
If you happen to have a voltmeter laying around, you could check the alternator yourself. Just set it to the DC setting and touch the red prong to the back of the alternator hot wire (red) and the black prong to any metal on the engine or body. Your reading will be around 13-14 volts.
Good Luck!
2007-07-11 12:46:44 · answer #1 · answered by CactiJoe 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
put a battery in it and take car to autozone or whatever parts store is near you that does free testing. You can unhook the battery with the car running to see if it stays running, but that wont show a weak alternator. The right way is to test the alternator amperage output, and check for bad diodes.
2007-07-11 19:38:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Get a jump from someone and start the car. Remove positive terminal from battery (positve cable on top or on side of battery) if the car dies, the alternator is bad.
2007-07-11 19:36:33 · answer #3 · answered by Jayne Savage 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
get the car running and pull the positive battery cable off the battery and if the car stalls the alternator is bad.
2007-07-11 20:41:57 · answer #4 · answered by mister ss 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
take to your nearest kragen or walmart store. they will check it for free.
2007-07-11 20:21:37 · answer #5 · answered by suzuki99@sbcglobal.net 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋