By Matthew Keegan
October 26, 2005
Testing to learn whether your vehicle's alternator has failed or not is a
simple procedure that can be done without an expensive piece of equipment.
Learn how you can make a correct determination each and every time.
Has your vehicle’s alternator failed? Are you absolutely certain that it
isn’t your battery or starter? Determining which part has failed is essential
toward avoiding unnecessarily replacing something that hasn’t failed, like your
battery. Let’s take a look at some steps you can take to determine that your
alternator, in fact, has bit the dust.
If you own an alternator testing machine, you can test to see whether your
car’s alternator is charging correctly. For most people this isn’t practical as
few motorists own such an expensive piece of equipment. For everyone else, there
is a practical way for you to easily check to see if your alternator is working
properly:
Connect a volt meter to your car's battery. Start your car. Observe the voltage output on the volt meter so that you can make an
accurate determination. If there is an increase in voltage when you start your car, then your
alternator is more than likely working just fine. Likely, you battery is the
culprit; check the battery itself and the connections to make a final
determination. If there is no increase in voltage, you are likely looking at having to
replace your alternator. The next step, of course, is to determine whether you will replace the
alternator yourself or have someone else do the job. Some things to keep in mind
as you weigh your options include:
If you trust your vehicle to a mechanic, what will the total cost of the work be including the part and labor? Is there a guarantee?
If you decide to do the work yourself, do you have all the tools on hand to get the work done? Do you own a repair manual? Do you want to purchase a new alternator or will a remanufactured unit suffice?
Your choices today are much greater than they were ten years ago, before internet shopping became a strong factor in reigning in high auto parts prices. Several online wholesalers, including the Auto Parts Warehouse, are in business to sell auto parts directly to you. Costs are generally much lower than local retail establishments and parts are from well known manufacturers, names you can trust in the business.
Doing the work yourself can save you time and money as well as give to you a sense of accomplishment. With a trusty repair manual at your side you can replace your vehicle’s alternator quickly and accurately.
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