How to Know When a Alternator Is Bad or Needs to Be Replaced
by Arthur Barnhouse
The alternator is a key component of your vehicle’s electrical system. While the battery stores electricity and supplies a power source for when the vehicle is turned off, it’s the alternator that continuously recharges the battery as the engine runs. If the alternator malfunctions or dies completely, not only does the car battery fail to charge, your vehicle will stop operating altogether. Therefore, it is essential for you to determine whether your alternator is working correctly or needs to be replaced.
Step 1
Pop the hood and locate the battery. Remove any protective shields or coverings from the battery. It is important that the car is not running, as first you must check only the battery’s voltage to eliminate it as the culprit and establish a baseline.
Step 2
Connect the positive lead of your voltage meter to the positive terminal on the battery (marked with a plus sign). Similarly, connect the negative lead of the meter to the battery’s negative terminal (marked with a minus sign).
Step 3
Look at the readout on your voltage meter. Your meter should show a reading of approximately 12.5 to 12.8 volts. Remember, the engine should not be running when you take this reading. Also, turn off all electrical accessories (radio, lights, etc.).
Step 4
Start your vehicle and allow it idle. Make sure all electrical accessories are turned off.
Step 5
Connect the positive lead of your voltage meter to the battery’s positive terminal and the negative lead to the negative terminal.
Step 6
Take note of the reading on your voltage meter. You should see an increase of voltage, anywhere from 13.6 to 14.3 volts (or more on some high-end, performance vehicles). If you fail to see an increase in voltage output, that means the alternator is not producing a charge and is in need of repair or replacement.
References
Tips
- Clean your posts and terminals of your battery. Sometimes, dirty or corroded connections do not allow your alternator to properly charge the battery. Also, make sure the connections are tight.
- Examine the alternator for any signs of wear. For example, if you hear a rattling from the alternator or if it vibrates excessively while the vehicle is running, chances are it needs repair.
- If you haven’t changed the serpentine belt, which runs the alternator, in more than 50,000 miles, replace it with a new one. A faulty, loose belt can cause a perfectly fine alternator to not work correctly.
- Voltage meters are fairly inexpensive (usually between $10 and $20) and can be purchased at most auto supply stores.
Things You'll Need
- Voltage meter
Writer Bio
Arthur Barnhouse has written numerous short stories, contributed content to various websites and was an invited speaker at a university symposium on creative writing. He began writing in 2002 and holds a Bachelor of Arts in English literature from the University of Pittsburgh. Barnhouse has driven across the United States numerous times and draws upon his travel experiences in his writing.
