What causes an alternator not to charge the battery?
This means that you could have a weak alternator, or a poor connection at the battery terminals. You could also have a loose drive belt, which is what supplies power to the alternator itself. If the drive belt is loose or not working properly, the alternator will not charge.
What should the charge voltage be on an alternator?
Turn on the high beams for 10 seconds and then turn them off. Measure battery voltage across the battery posts with your DMM. You should get between 12.4 and 12.6V. This means your battery is fully charged. If you get a reading below 12.4V, charge the battery before continuing. 5b. Measure the Charging System’s No-Load Voltage
Why does the battery light come on after the alternator is replaced?
This would make the Battery Light come on. It is also possible that there is a problem with the fusible link or the alternator fuse for the charging system.
What should I do if my alternator keeps dying?
The alternator is essentially a generator and it keeps your battery charged while supplying additional electrical power for the other systems in the vehicle. If you have a new alternator and your battery keeps dying on you, then there’s definitely a problem that you’re going to need to look into.
Can a car battery be drained by an alternator?
While you might initially think that any problems with electrical things like lights or radio not working are directly related to the battery, the alternator is actually where most of the power in your vehicle comes from. Consider that if you were to leave the lights of your car on overnight by the next day your battery might be drained completely.
Why is your new alternator not charging your battery?
The most common reason for an alternator not charging a battery is because of a bad alternator or battery . You can easily test the voltage by connecting a voltmeter to your battery while the engine is off.
How do I know if my battery or alternator is bad?
Signs of a bad alternator. If the above steps reveal that the battery is working, it’s time to take a closer look at the alternator. There are certain signs of a bad alternator to look for: While running the car, note the brightness of the interior lights. If the dashboard gradually dims, the alternator is likely at fault.
Why is the alternator not charging?
– Broken Belt or Pulley. The belt and pulley produce the mechanical power which gets converted into electrical energy by the alternator. Your belt can easily break if it gets stretched out too much, causing it to snap apart. The pulley can also get damaged after a while. In either case, the alternator will no longer be able…
How do I know if it’s the battery or the alternator?
Check the Alternator. Test the alternator to make sure that it can start up the battery. If the battery is working properly and nothing is wrong with it, then it’s the alternator that will more likely cause a problem. Try to start the engine and listen carefully, if it produces a “whining” sound, it may be the alternator.