Can an alternator short out a battery?
yes alternator windings or rectifier bridge can short out.
What causes an alternator to short out?
Bad diodes are a common cause of alternator failure. The diodes are part of the rectifier assembly that converts the alternator’s AC output to DC. A leaky diode also can allow current to drain out of the battery through the alternator when the vehicle is not being driven.
What to do if your alternator is over charging the battery?
Ask an assistant to start the engine and hold engine speed at about 1500 RPM. Measure voltage across the battery with your DMM. You should get 0.5 to 2 volts higher than base voltage. If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty.
How can I tell if my alternator is bad?
To check for a bad alternator diode, you may want to reset your voltmeter to the lowest possible AC voltage scale setting. Have your assistant start the car’s engine and let it run for a few minutes at 1200 RPM. Connect the voltmeter probes on their respective battery terminals. You should read “0.00” in the display.
What causes an alternator to stop working on a car?
Once the alternator stops working, so do all of the electrical systems required to keep a car going. Other problems can also cause a car to not start. It could be a bad starter, corroded cables, or a broken connection somewhere between the battery and starter.
What should voltage be when alternator is running?
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. Main battery is near the end of it’s life. Secondary (Aux) Battery needs replacing (if applicable).
What’s the problem with my Honda Accord alternator?
2001 Honda Accord Alternator Problem: Hello, Ive Been Told by a Hello, ive been told by a non mechanic my alternator is causing my idle to go up and down on my rpm. Sometimes my car would take a while to start after 3-5weeks of non start. Also my idle on drive transmission is below normal idle.
Can a bad battery cause an alternator to over charge?
Make sure that all the connections to the alternator, remote voltage regulator (if applicable) and battery are clean, tight and in good condition. Check your battery or have it tested at your local auto parts store. A bad battery cell can cause the alternator to over-charge the good battery cells.
Is the alternator at the heart of the charging system?
Dan Ferrell writes about do-it-yourself car maintenance and repair. He has certifications in automation and control technology. The alternator is at the heart of the charging system of your vehicle. Alternator problems and charging system problems can affect your vehicle in different ways.
What does it mean when an alternator light comes on?
If the light illuminates only intermittently, it usually indicates a loose or worn drive belt or serpentine belt, worn-out or bad carbon brushes in the alternator. But remember that the light doesn’t always mean there is a bad part; the light may be triggered by a sensor giving a wrong message or there’s something wrong with the circuit itself.