Not sure if your alternator is in good condition? It's hard to know whether the alternator is in good condition or not if you don't know how. The easiest way is to use a voltmeter. If you understand the condition of your car, there are several other ways that can be used. Read on to find out how to check the alternator.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Using a Voltmeter
Step 1. Purchase a voltmeter
You can get it at a spare parts store for under $20. No need to buy expensive ones, cheap ones are enough.
If you have a multimeter, you can use that too. Multimeters can also measure voltage, as well as current and resistance. You will use a voltage meter when you will check the alternator
Step 2. Check the battery first
The battery is needed to turn the alternator, which will then charge the battery. That is, if your battery is weak, you cannot start the alternator. Checking the voltage at this point will be useless. If the weather is cold and the battery is old, there may be a problem with your battery. So check the battery first. Here's how to do it:
- Turn off the machine. You have to make sure the engine is off before you plug in the voltmeter.
- Open the hood.
- Attach the voltmeter to the battery. Place the red end of the voltmeter on the positive terminal of the battery and black on the negative. Do not let your skin touch the battery.
- Read the number indicated by the voltmeter. If the battery shows still above 12.2 volts, then the battery is still good and enough to start the alternator, which can then be tested using a voltmeter.
- If the battery is weak, first charge the battery and test again, or use another method to check the alternator.
Step 3. Start the engine and run up to 2000 RPM
This will provide current to your battery, which will cause the regulator to activate the alternator.
Step 4. Leave the engine running and recheck the battery with a voltmeter
If you see a voltmeter showing a number between 13 and 14.5, it means the alternator is in good condition. Otherwise, the alternator is not good.
Method 2 of 2: Monitoring the alternator
Step 1. Check the alternator needle
If you have a volt/ampere indicator, it will read the alternator output voltage. Turn on the air conditioner or heater, headlights and other accessories, to overload the alternator, and see if the needle indicates a lack of power. As a rule, if the voltage shown when the engine is running is higher than when the engine is off, it can be assumed that the alternator is good..
Step 2. Listen to the alternator while the engine is running
If there is a problem with the bearing, you usually hear a noise that gets louder when you turn on the accessories.
Step 3. Turn on the radio and gas the engine
If the radio becomes noisy when you press the gas pedal, it means the noise is coming from the alternator.
Step 4. Find a repair shop that will check the alternator for free
Since every repair shop would like it if you bought an alternator, they usually offer a free inspection. Remove the alternator and take it there to be sure.
Tips
- Even if you conclude that the alternator is not working, the problem may be coming from somewhere else. It may come from a blown fuse, a bad relay, or a faulty regulator.
- When the weather is very cold, before you start the engine, turn on the lights first. A warm battery will always be able to start a cold engine.
Warning
- Take care not to expose hands, dangling clothes, jewelery to the rotating parts of the machine.
- Some people recommend checking the alternator by starting the engine, disconnecting the negative battery terminal, and seeing if the engine shuts down. Do not try this method, it can damage the regulator, alternator and other electrical components.
