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altenator check

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clt400
New User

Feb 22, 2006, 8:07 PM

Post #1 of 3 (2037 views)
altenator check Sign In
Can I check my altenator to see if it is working by disconnecting the battery while the car is running? Should the car stay running? (92 eagle talon)


Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Feb 23, 2006, 1:25 AM

Post #2 of 3 (2034 views)
Re: altenator check Sign In
Some may and some may not. Just put a voltmeter on it which should read 12V+ if off for a while and perhaps 14.5V with it running. That could vary a bit but not too much, should be more that 12V while running and you are probably OK. If your battery is older than 3-4 years I would suspect it if you have troubles. T



DanD
Veteran / Moderator
DanD profile image

Feb 23, 2006, 5:20 AM

Post #3 of 3 (2030 views)
Re: altenator check Sign In
Just to back-up what Tom is telling you.
Don’t ever purposely disconnect the battery while the engine is running, you maybe very sorry if you do. As in burning out electronic devices that do not like voltage spikes as you open and close the battery connection.
Maybe back in the 50’s and 60’s it was a back-yarder’s way of checking the charging system but that was when they used generators or an alternator with an external mechanical voltage regulator. The only electronic device on the car was possibly a single transistor in the radio.
Get a voltmeter take a battery voltage reading before you start the car; start the car and take another reading. You should see anywhere form a volt to three-volt increase at the battery almost immediately. If it stays the same or goes down in voltage the charging system is not working, it doesn’t tell you why just that it isn’t.
Dan.

Canadian "EH"









 
 
 






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