The alternator in your vehicle is an exigent Element of the charging system. Without a properly functioning alternator, your vehicle may routinely suffer from a dead battery or stall out while traveling down the road due to a lack of power. It can be difficult to determine whether your car or truck's problem lies in the battery or the alternator itself. The best way to figure out your specific problem is to have the alternator tested to make sure it is working properly.
What Alternators Do
The alternator in your car is actually what keeps the car running when you are driving it. Your car battery provides the initial jolt of power that is needed to start the car; once it is running the alternator takes over and supplies the power to run the car. While the car is running, the alternator recharges the battery. Alternator problems may or may not be caused by the actual alternator itself, as they can be in the pulleys or electrical wiring of the charging system. This is why it is important to check the alternator before you go to the expense of replacing it.
Alternator Testing at Home
If you happen to own a voltage meter, you can hook it to your vehicle's battery and test the alternator's voltage output without ever leaving home. Hook the voltage meter to your vehicle's battery and check the voltage on it when it is turned off and then while it is running with multiple power draining accessories turned on, such as the lights, radio and air conditioning. This method can seriously damage the electrical systems of vehicles.
Engine Code Diagnosis
If your check engine light is on, you can hook your car's powertrain control module (computer) to an error code reader and have it scanned for error codes.The power voltage should significantly increase. If it does not, you need to have the alternator professionally checked.You should not attempt to check your alternator by removing a cable from the battery while the car is running.
Chances are, codes related to the charging system and alternator will fire if the vehicle is having alternator problems. Most mechanics and automotive parts shops perform error code scanning and decoding free of charge.
Professional Alternator Testing
Remove the alternator from your vehicle and take it to an auto parts store or mechanic's shop that performs free alternator testing. Have the alternator's functioning level tested professionally by the technicians.
