How do I test my alternator Rectifier?
Test a rectifier bridge or a diode trio with an ohmmeter. A diode should allow voltage to pass in only one direction. To test a forward-biased diode, place the positive probe onto the diode and the negative to ground. The meter should read continuity.
How to test the voltage regulator in a Chevy alternator?
Place the multimeter onto 20V DC and measure the output. The battery should have at least 12.0-volts of power with the vehicle off. If it does not, charge the battery until it measures 12.0-volts.
Can you bypass the voltage regulator on an alternator?
On many alternators (except those with computer voltage regulation), you can bypass the voltage regulator to test whether your voltage regulator or some other component (alternator or charging circuit) is at fault.
What should the voltage drop be on a Toyota alternator?
Photo 3: This alternator B+ to battery B+ voltage drop test indicates slightly less than 0.100 volts, which is well within Toyota’s 0
Why is my alternator not getting enough power?
If the multimeter shows less than the previous reading, the regulator is defective and you are risk of damaging your battery because it is not getting enough power to stay charged. If the battery reads more than 14.0-volts, the regulator is not limiting the power being transferred from the alternator to the regulator.
When is a voltage regulator bad for an alternator?
When your test shows a steady or intermittent high or low voltage output, the voltage regulator is possibly bad. Most voltage regulators fail by allowing a high voltage output, though. However, before going any further, check that all the connections to the alternator and battery are good and clean as described in the next section.
What should the voltage be in a Chevy alternator?
When your Chevy is running, you should get approximately 12.8 to 14.0 volts of power, and there is a quick and easy test to determine if your regulator is over- or under-performing. Place the red lead of you multimeter onto the positive battery terminal on your car battery.
If the multimeter shows less than the previous reading, the regulator is defective and you are risk of damaging your battery because it is not getting enough power to stay charged. If the battery reads more than 14.0-volts, the regulator is not limiting the power being transferred from the alternator to the regulator.
What is the voltage regulator on a Chevy?
The voltage regulator is built into the alternator on all Chevys made from the 1980s to at least 2010. Simply put, the regulator restricts the amount of voltage being sent to the battery. Without a regulator the battery would receive upwards of 30-volts of power while charging, which would quickly damage or destroy your battery.