How much voltage does an alternator need?
A car alternator needs to be putting out at least 13-14 volts (ideally between 13.8 and 14.2 volts) to effectively charge a 12 volt car battery. If the alternator is putting out too much voltage (15+ volts), it is likely your battery acid will boil over out of the battery.
What should the voltage be in a car alternator?
Typically you get BATTERY/ALTERNATOR VISIT WORKSHOP warning when the electrical system voltage in the car is below 12.6 volt. When the car is running the alternator produces electricity and the voltage should be above 13.5 volt. If you have a multimeter like this one, you can connect it to the battery terminals to get a voltage reading.
Can a dead voltage regulator be replaced in an alternator?
At least a dead voltage regulator in the alternator. The voltage regulator can be easily replaced without removing the alternator most of the time, and usually is cheap so worth a try. Nevertheless, you should definitely clean those connectors and terminals every now and then. – galingong Feb 15 ’17 at 9:25
How can I tell if my alternator needs to be replaced?
First check the battery voltage to confirm if it’s the alternator. If it is usually just the voltage regulator needs to be replaced.
What does it mean when battery and alternator don’t match?
Also the voltage at the battery and the voltage at the alternator should be within 0.5v of each other. If the voltage at the battery and alternator don’t match. For example the battery reads 12v and alternator reads 14v. This means that there is an issue with wiring. While applying the same conditions as above.
How much does it cost to replace an alternator on a Mercedes Benz C300?
The average cost for a Mercedes-Benz C300 alternator voltage regulator replacement is between $277 and $318. Labor costs are estimated between $152 and $193 while parts are priced at $125. Estimate does not include taxes and fees.
How to diagnose a dead alternator voltage regulator?
To diagnose the voltage regulator, a technician will first rule out a dead battery by using a multimeter to check for correct resting voltage (12.6 volts), and possibly conducting a load test to make sure the battery is capable of delivering proper voltage under a load.
Why does my alternator not change the voltage?
If the voltage change and go back to normal when you tap it lightly with a hammer while the car is running – the Carbon brushes are worn out and needs to be replaced in the alternator, or the whole alternator. Sometimes there is an electrical problem in the alternator, and even if the voltage does not change, it might be damaged.
Where is the voltage regulator on a car?
The alternator voltage regulator is a component of the electrical system on a car, truck, or SUV. More specifically, the voltage regulator is part of the charging system responsible for managing the output of the alternator and maintaining a full charge on the battery . It is either housed inside or attached to the alternator.