The alternator tag has no wiki summary.
6
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4answers
1k views
How to assess battery charge level and alternator performance?
What diagnostics can be done to to assess battery charge level?
I'm interested both in one-off tests like can be done in car service and also continuous monitoring during normal use.
Car panels ...
6
votes
3answers
272 views
Does idle RPM increase when there is heavy load on the electrical system?
I am thinking about installing a 500w halogen (HDX brand) on the roll bar in my jeep as the dome light because often I work in the back when it is dark or when I would like more light. The 500w light ...
6
votes
2answers
105 views
Failing alternator, idler pulley, or something else?
I have 1997 Chevrolet Lumina sedan. I’m trying to diagnose a sound coming from my engine. It is a “whirring” noise that varies with the engine speed (e.g., if I accelerate, the sound becomes louder ...
5
votes
2answers
482 views
Can an engine stop from a bad battery?
The car is a 2005 Toyota Corolla CE. Its engine is the 1ZZ-FE, a 1.8L straight four that runs on gas, not diesel.
The alternator is stock, and tests out just fine on the multimeter in both voltage ...
4
votes
4answers
5k views
How to diagnose a starter motor that does not work
My e46 M3 would not start when I got to the parking garage after work. When I first turned the key, I heard a sound like grinding gears, but I was so startled that I immediately stopped trying to ...
4
votes
2answers
121 views
How to detect a failing car alternator..?
Is there some way we can predict that the car alternator is about to fail in order to avoid a discharged battery situation on the road..
Although it will slow the sound of horn and will dim the ...
4
votes
3answers
63 views
93 Nissan Sentra SE-R, replaced alternator voltage still low
My car died while I was driving it, but I can put the battery on a charger (or from another car, with jumper cables) and get it running albeit for a short period of time.
I put a multimeter on the ...
3
votes
2answers
32 views
'03 Mazda Tribute needs jumped every time it starts
I have a 2003 Mazda Tribute. I'm not entirely sure what the problem is with the vehicle. I suppose it could be the alternator or just a dead battery, but could also be something more detailed.
I have ...
3
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2answers
61 views
Why did my car stall when I used the foot brake?
Preface: I drive a 2004 Peugeot 206, manual
On the motorway the other night, one of my tires blew out. I managed to pull over and change to the spare wheel in about 30 minutes (having never changed a ...
3
votes
1answer
369 views
How to repair alternator slip rings to stop squeaking?
Background
I have a new Bosch CS-130 style alternator with a couple hundred miles on it.
Since I installed it, it's been a little noisy, but I attributed that to the brushes breaking in to mate with ...
3
votes
2answers
206 views
What is the correct/factory wiring for a Suburban 1998 battery/alternator?
I have included a picture showing what I have now on this Suburban. Note that there is wiring not shown in the picture which is a second electrical connection to the positive side of the battery ...
2
votes
3answers
81 views
Effects of significant draw on alternator and battery
Hypothetically speaking, let's say I've equipped a vehicle with an aftermarket audio system with an amplifier that has a higher draw (in amps) than my alternator produces causing my average voltage ...
2
votes
2answers
358 views
Noise in stereo that changes pitch with engine RPM
This is a question of curiosity. I have a '98 Acura Integra, a cheap car stereo with a 3.5mm aux in, a cheap inverter and a smart phone. If I have the smart phone audio hooked up to the car stereo and ...
2
votes
2answers
137 views
Is alternator rating at pulley rpm or engine rpm?
I just got a new alternator for my jeep that says 160amps at 2k rpm. Is this rating for the pulley rpm on the alternator - or is it the rpm of the engine?
Also, if the pulley is spinning slower than ...
1
vote
2answers
62 views
Is rebuilding an alternator a DIY project?
I'd like a high performance alternator similar to one of these. Is it possible to rebuild a stock alternator to similar output, using majority of tools one would have at a home garage? Of course one ...
1
vote
2answers
50 views
Safe resistance between alternator and battery?
I am trying to figure out which awg of wire I need to get for my new, 160 amp, alternator. I found this chart which shows the resistivity/length of different wire gauges. Chances are that I will not ...
1
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2answers
1k views
Mustang charging system warning light on, but battery and alternator both passed testing?
I have a Mustang that the battery light stays on.
I changed the battery and the alternator was checked by Autozone, they said it was good.
I need help
1
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1answer
53 views
2001 Grand Cherokee Has not been starting?
In September someone broke into my car, nothing was missing but the alarm went off until the next day I came back from school and the battery was completely drained. So my dad jump started it and ...
1
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1answer
550 views
Rover 25 - My battery light starts flickering on/off on the dashboard
My girlfriend noticed this yesterday and thought it was odd, it stopped but started happening again this morning on my way to work, I think its a V plate.... "as I’m driving along my battery light ...
1
vote
1answer
360 views
97 Ford Explorer battery going dead
On Friday, my girlfriend's '97 Ford Explorer v6 lost electrical while driving. We were able to get it going again with a jump start. Lost electricity (lights / gauges) while driving, but were able to ...
