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Re: Alternator charging voltage/amperage? Posted by Ari [Email] ![]() ![]() In Reply to: Alternator charging voltage/amperage?, Ed NC, Mon, 7 Feb 2005 07:02:56 Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup |
Sounds a lot like the battery. If it wasn't charging, you'd get an ALT light, and it wouldn't be starting easier after it's been running a bit.
First and foremost, turn the car to ON but don't start it. Make sure you get an alternator light. Usually looks like a battery symbol. That lets you know the light is working.
The easiest check is to throw a voltmeter across the battery terminals. Expect to see mid to low 12 volts with the car off. Start the car, and the voltage should jump up into the mid to upper 13 volt range. That shows the alternator is working. Turn on the headlights, blower fan to Hi, defroster on, and throw on the seat heaters, just for fun. The voltage should drop, but stay above 12.8 or so. That's the sign of a decent alternator. It's just a cheap load test.
Note - if it's warm out where you are or you run this test on a hot car, where the alternator has been sitting in the heat for a while, lower voltages are normal. That's the temperature compensation of the alternator. But I'd still expect at least 12.6 volts under load, at idle.
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