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Alternator

Tiny
CARLINIETO47
  • MEMBER
  • 2003 HONDA ACCORD
  • 3.0L
  • V6
  • FWD
  • AUTOMATIC
  • 274,000 MILES
How do you know if your alternator is going out if it's still charging your battery?
Thursday, February 18th, 2016 AT 5:02 PM

3 Replies

Tiny
CATAFINA
  • MECHANIC
  • 168 POSTS
Read the battery voltage before you start the car then read it again while engine is running it should read within 2 volts if not there's a problem.

For example its 12.5 before you start the car and it reads 14.5 while running-the alternator is doing its job
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Thursday, February 18th, 2016 AT 6:25 PM
Tiny
CJ MEDEVAC
  • MECHANIC
  • 11,004 POSTS
CATAFINA IS SPEAKING "ELECTRICALLY"

IF IT'S SQUEALING OR MAKING A GRINDING SOUND, "MECHANICALLY", THE BEARINGS OR BUSHINGS INSIDE MAY BE WORN OUT OR FAILING.

THE MEDIC
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Thursday, February 18th, 2016 AT 7:18 PM
Tiny
KEN L
  • MASTER CERTIFIED MECHANIC
  • 42,949 POSTS
Also if a diode is going out the alternator will change the battery with AC voltage which is bad, here is more information on how to test it correctly.

https://www.2carpros.com/articles/how-to-check-a-car-alternator

let us know what you find
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Monday, March 7th, 2016 AT 2:19 PM

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