The car’s features are powered by electricity, but it can be tough to estimate how much. One thing we do know for certain though: a lot of this power consumption goes into just lighting up the interior and powering accessories such as sound systems or air conditioning units.
The alternator is a device that supplies electrical power to your car. It does this through distribution and charging of current, as well keeping the battery charged with healthy fluid levels for optimal performance.
The alternator is really an early form of electricity. It produces AC or alternating current, which was used in homes until recent years when people began using batteries for their portable electronics needs instead.
That makes the alternator an important part of your car, and there are two ways you can test it.
How to Test Alternator using a Voltmeter
You can easily check on your alternator’s health by using a voltmeter or multimeter. This device measures electric potential difference between two points in the circuit, which means that it will give you an accurate notion of how well-charged its battery is.
You can find a variety of voltage indicators in the market, with prices ranging from Php 200 to more than 2000. They come either as analog or digital devices and will need connection via alligator clips or standard probes depending on what you want them for; they also provide protection against harsh environments like rainwater so make sure your eyewear is suitable.
Step 1
Locate the battery inside of your engine bay. Make sure that it is secure and in a safe position before opening up the hood.
Step 2
To test for DC, set the voltmeter to V and make sure that it reads zero.
Step 3
To measure the battery voltage, attach one end of alligator clips or probes to a voltmeter and then connect it directly onto your vehicle’s electrical system.
The correct wire is red, so you want to connect this lead with the positive terminal. The black cable has a negative side which means it goes towards your car’s battery connector in reverse order of course.
Step 4
When checking a battery to see if it’s good, make sure you use an accurate digital multimeter. A reading of 12 volts and above means that the device has enough juice for testing.
Step 5
When the alternator is functioning properly, it should produce between 13.6 and 15 volts with an output tone of voice that’s professional.
Step 6
When you turn on your car’s accessories, like headlamps and air conditioning Franz will get an idea of how much juice is left in the battery. A reading between 13-14.5 volts indicates that there’s enough power for now but if it drops below this range then chances are good on replacing old worn out parts with new ones before they wear down too far.
2) Manual testing
Step 1
If your car has an alternator, you will need to test it with this method. Start by revving up the engine at 2000 RPMs for about five seconds until all electrical components in our cars are turned on such as the air conditioning system and headlights (or use proper continuity tests). Keep watch over voltmeter while doing so – if its reading is higher than usual then there’s no problem.
Step 2
If you notice any strange sounds coming from your car’s engine, like screeching or a squealing sound when turning over then this could be an indication that there is trouble with the alternator. It will seem even worse if other parts of the vehicle are making unusual noises as well.
Step 3
When you turn on the car’s radio, make sure it is tuned to AM and loaded with as little volume before lowering. Step onto your pedals while listening closely for any whines or fuzziness that may come from this device- if there’s something sounds wrong then chances are good an alternator problem could be at hand.
Step 4
You can get your alternator checked for free if you are uncomfortable with the idea that a professional might need to check it. Stores which carry car parts and accessories will accept an Alternators, so this task may not be too difficult.
Common signs of a bad Alternator
The alternator is a crucial part of your car that affects its functions. When it fails, you’ll notice signs like these to let you know about the problem:
- Vehicle won’t start.
- The problem with jump-starting the car is that sometimes it works, but then dies on you again.
- If you notice your car is running smoothly but dies suddenly, it could be because of the accessories that were turned on for testing.
- There’s a good chance you have an issue with your battery. If it still lights up even when the engine is running, then there could be something wrong and needs to be diagnosed as soon as possible.
- The headlights seem to be dimmer than usual when the night comes.
