Questions tagged [alternator]

An engine accessory which generates alternating current (AC). The electricity is then fed through diodes which converts it from AC to direct current (DC), which is usable by the automobile in general. The alternator is usually driven by belts which are connected to the crankshaft of the engine which provides the motion to produce power.

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jump starting car: why wouldn't jump start work when bad battery is more depleted

Please see pic. I was able to jump start on day 1 on first attempt. After the bad battery depleted more over the weekend (day 3), I was not able to jump start easily. I kept trying for 30 minutes, ...
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What does this alternator diode test tell me?

I have the battery disconnected (pos and neg), and nothing is connected to my alternator. When I connect a multimeter's common (black) to the positive pin and the red to the alternator housing, I get ...
Gerben Gangel's user avatar
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Battery discharging with new alternator

2007 Chevy Cobalt So I recently replaced my alternator, at first it was working fine, the socket meter I have showed a consistent 14.5V reading, but after turning it off and later in the day start ...
Dot MKV's user avatar
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What are the effects of upgrading battery size/power in 2012 Civic LX

I found Upgrading Honda Accord Group 51 battery to a larger one but it answered one of my questions. 2012 Honda Civic LX, 1.8l Battery stock size is 51R, but they only get about 4-500 CCA. We live in ...
Stay-at-home-dad's user avatar
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2006 Accord EX: replace alternator diodes or entire alternator?

The OEM alternator was removed and tested at Advance Automotive because of measured voltage drops. The test did not find anything. We suspect that the rectifier diodes may be at end of life. Are ...
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2014 Elantra. Put new battery in mechanic checked it over said solid car. Last night coming down I75 everything went out but motor. Now won't start?

2014 Elantra..Put a new battery in a few weeks ago and a mechanic checked everything and said it's a solid good car. Last night I was coming down I75 and everything shut off/went out but the motor ...
Monica Jenkins's user avatar
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1 answer
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Heard bang while driving, car wont start

I heard a bang right after shifting gears and I suddenly lost power to my radio and power steering. My engine was still running fine after the bang. But when I shut it off I couldnt start it again. ...
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Alternator doesn't charge the battery when idle with head lights on

My car is a Mitsubishi Magna TH 1999 3.5L Auto. The alternator gives no voltage at idle with headlights & fan on. The battery gets drained. The alternator warning light pops up. If revved a little ...
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07 Ford Edge: battery and alternator problems

Replaced alternator, fuses, temperature control sensor, the plug that goes to the alternator and battery. The battery light comes on a few minutes after crank. We check the voltage on alternator and ...
Tessa S.'s user avatar
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02 Honda civic LX battery drain

Put a new alternator in and it's charging I believe I took the negative cable off and it said running but while driving is sputters dies out and then especially when the Sun goes down when it's ...
Eric Herrington's user avatar
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Long crank time when engine is warm/after car has been driven

My car has about 155,000 miles and it's a Toyota Avalon 2008 V6. A few months ago, my battery died and I got it replaced at AutoZone (by someone who, I found out, wasn't qualified). My car sounded ...
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Need a alternator for a 94 nissan pathfinder Le V6

I have a 94 Nissan Pathfinder LE V6 and I wanna know if there is any other parts that would b compatible or a perfect fit for my suv beside an D21 hardbody, altima wit a v6 motor or an Infinity G35 I'...
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VW Polo battery question

My (VW Polo SE TSI Mk5, 2015, 1.2, bought secondhand) car just had a new battery fitted (EFB for start-stop cars) and on checking the battery voltage with a multimeter at idle (engine on, car ...
Nobilis's user avatar
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Renault Master Battery/Charging Problem

I'm having some alternator charging issues with my Master since 1 month, today it got much worse. It is 2016 with 135k km. Car shows up STOP and Low Battery warning, when it first started happening ...
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Voltage drop on 2009 Toyota between alternator and battery

New battery keeps dying slowly. I get 13.7 volt output at alternator but only 12.8 at battery. Thinking that voltage drop due to bad wiring between alternator and battery. Trying to trace wires but ...
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2006 Ford F 150 5.4 Triton motor XLT Alternator No Charging

I New Alternator New Fusible link and I still have low voltage battery light in the dash that went away I have read a lot in I Can Find The problem HELP
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Will a 12v alternator/generator connected in parallel to the vehicle alternator cause damage long term?

I am a computer systems administrator and I've don't basic work on my car but haven't done anything significant with car electrical. I have an overland/adventure truck I'm building with a battery bank ...
ACiD GRiM's user avatar
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How did you remove a radiator fan in a 2011 Honda Accord? I removed the two screw and harness and it’s supposedly to just slide out but won’t budge

I’m changing out my alternator and gave to remove the radiator fan ti do so. I undid the screws and harness. It wont budge.
Kellie LeBoeuf's user avatar
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Can I put a higher/bigger battery for my Suzuki XL7?

I have a 2020 Suzuki XL7 1.5L. It came with a wet-cell battery: Furukawa FB 38B19L (32Ah). I'm about to replacing my battery, and I wonder what type of battery I should consider. I already checked ...
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New alternator and 2 new batteries but still get bad battery light

Have a dual battery setup in my 2000 gmc Sierra with an auxiliary battery for my sub isolated through a relay to the other for charging had some issues with the lights dimming so I replaced the ...
Lildeath's user avatar
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Does this alternator sound ok?

This is a video of me spinning the alternator, via the clutch pulley, that sound recorded very softly, do turn the volume up. And if you notice an issue please let me know https://youtu.be/Hy7hJ07wRYU
driver4567's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
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Have I fried my alternator through frequent use of an external charger?

Recently, on a longer trip, the battery light came on while I was driving, indicating the alternator was no longer charging the battery. The shop diagnosed a bad alternator and replaced it, which ...
user149408's user avatar
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2010 Kia soul car not staying on after removing jumper cables

Car wouldn’t start so used jumper cables to start car. However, after removing jumper cables lights dimmed then car died. 2nd try Jump starting car removed cables and was able to keep car running ...
Karyn Hall's user avatar
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2 answers
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Max power consumption of chargers in an average car

I am planning to charge a lot of electronic devices and photo-equipment in my car (using 12V DC only). I've got a lot of chargers connected, including 100W for Macbook Pro and multiple 36W smaller ...
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How often should I check my alternator?

Last week the alternator went out in our van while were passing through a less-than-desirable part of town. Nothing scary, but it was a long process that took an entire afternoon to get it towed to ...
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3 votes
1 answer
443 views

Very rapid battery drain, dies while driving

thanks in advance! I have a 2007 Nissan Murano SE. The primary symptom is it literally loses power while driving, going into emergency mode before finally dying all together. But no low battery ...
Patrick Gallagher's user avatar
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When alternator bolts slackened it starts putting out a proper voltage. Relay 2.2hdi

I've had some alternator woes over the past week. Citroen Relay model II 2005 - 2.2hdi. My alternator wasn't putting out anything: Battery was down to 11.5v Checked the alternator with a multimeter (...
Cameron Thomas's user avatar
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New alternator new battery

So my Toyota Corolla 2005 alternator went bad so we purchased a new one off Rockauto.com first time for me personally anyway so after replacing it and reconnecting everything I plug my Battery which ...
XxMaddhatter1738xX's user avatar
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1 answer
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2001 Chevrolet can’t remember the rest it a truck

Okay so when I went to crank the truck the lights where on but the moment I went to start it nothing evening went out change the battery still nothing can it be my alternator or something
Destiney Collins's user avatar
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Disconnecting Negative Battery Terminal While Engine is on

When the engine is running in a steady state and the negative terminal of the battery is disconnected: Should the alternator power the engine (the engine should continue running)?
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03 yukon electrical

Its an 03 yukon with a brand new battery in it. In the past 3 months it has went in for a no crank no start issue twice . Both times it was just an ignition fuse. Something is causing this fuse to be ...
Tbc's user avatar
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Is it time to replace the battery?

When I let my car idle over the night the battery voltage is around 12.2v and after running it's around 12.5v, and charging voltage is around 14-14.2v, i thought the monoblock amp which i connected ...
Voyager1011011's user avatar
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Brand new alternator: only 2 Volts

I just installed a brand new alternator in my car. The output voltage is just above 2V regardless of engine RPM. The exciter voltage from the battery is A-OK. The previous alternator had the same ...
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I have a 3500 watt car audio system and want the cheapest way to run it?

I have a 3500w system I need to know if I need a high output alternator or can I just replace my stock battery with a 4800 w energie battery
Micheal Lester's user avatar
6 votes
2 answers
6k views

Best way to recharge battery using alternator?

Let's say I'm unable to start my car. I get a jump from another car, and my car is now running and charging the battery. The advice I get next is "leave it running for 45 minutes so it can ...
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Battery dead after track day but everything working

Car: BMW M3 (2006) I went to a track day (HPDE event where I drove the car on a road course at its limit for the entire day) and at the end of the day the car wasn’t cranking. I push-started it and ...
user3829017's user avatar
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1 answer
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What makes the battery light come on

My question is not “why does the red battery light come on”. I know it’s a battery or alternator problem. What I would like to understand is the physical mechanism that makes it turn on. Is it a ...
user3829017's user avatar
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1 answer
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96 Olds Cutlass Supreme 3.1L Is it the alternator?

Is it the alternator?? When I put the key in the ignition all my lights come on bright, the icons on my display light up & my radio works BUT when you turn the key car won’t turn over & you ...
Elizabeth 's user avatar
7 votes
2 answers
3k views

Trying to use a car alternator for a power source (not for car)

I’m trying to use a car alternator for 12 V bench power source, got it all going and getting 14.5 V with no load but once I apply a load to it the output drops to 8.5 V. Is it a faulty alternator or ...
Domanzano's user avatar
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1 answer
454 views

Alternator connection is bad

So I have a problem where one of the wires connecting to the alternator comes loose and stops charging my battery. I have an 08 Honda Accord. I have pulled the wire out and attempted to clean the ...
Honda owner's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
240 views

Car starts only when I jump it

I have a 2006 Dodge Caravan SXT. Bought it from a friend who said that the battery was replaced like two years ago. Everything was fine until recently I started having this problem where the car would ...
time12's user avatar
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4 votes
4 answers
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I shorted the alternator for a second with a multimeter set to measure current

I was debugging a battery. The resting voltage was 10.8, which means either the battery is bad or there is something draining it. So to check the drain I had my multimeter connected to measure ...
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How much electrical power can a van deliver at idle?

Trying to decide (for camping in a van) for power: Solar vs. Generator vs. Alternator How much power could a van (assume a Ford E150 Econoline) deliver with the standard alternator per hour at idle ...
Clay Nichols's user avatar
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Is it normal to over flow little battery liquid

I got an overflow issue with my car's old battery and now replaced it with a new one. currently, when I go for a long drive few vapors are released through the overflow exit side of the battery. Is it ...
manu's user avatar
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Alternator discharging

Hi everyone thanks for your input I have a 1994 Isuzu Rodeo and the alternator goes negative when I rev the engine also when staring the engine it goes to negative and I have to wait until it builds ...
Monte Olimpo's user avatar
1 vote
1 answer
341 views

I have a 2009 Honda Accord 2.4 and I replaced the battery and alternator and the car will not keep running. Its not holding a charge

Hello my 2009 Honda Accord won't seem to stay running after I replaced the battery and the alternator. We took the battery and alternator to get it tested and is still good, so I was wondering what ...
cool kash's user avatar
4 votes
4 answers
2k views

I need to take my motor mount off. I don't have a jack. So can can I take off that mount to get to my alternator pulley without dropping the motor?

I have a 2006 Chevy Malibu 2.2 Ecotech. I can't loosen that pulley unless I take off that motor mount that's in the way.I don't have a jack so. Can I successfully remove the motor mount then put on ...
Nicholas Morgan's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
4k views

Is it OK to run a new wire directly from the alternator to the battery?

The battery is not charging, and when I use an ohms meter between the alternator output terminal and the battery +, I read 7.5 ohms. When the motor is running I see 14.45v between the alternator ...
Owen's user avatar
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Alternator / Regulator / Battery issue with Yamaha XJ 600

I don't use my XJ 600 so often and a few months ago, it wouldn't start due to an empty battery. The battery was old. I got a new one, and a SC10 "smart" charger to take good care of it. Two ...
Jérôme's user avatar
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3 votes
0 answers
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2003 Ford Escape charging issue

So I’ve had alternator issues in the past in my 2003 Ford Escape. Just the other day my battery light came on, I took out the alternator and the battery and my alternator failed a bench test, so I ...
Steve Hyatt's user avatar

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