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    edwilliams6's Avatar
    edwilliams6 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #1

    Mar 15, 2007, 09:21 AM
    Car battery or car generator
    How do you tell if you need a new generator or battery?[car]

    t-you
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
    Uber Member
    		  
    #2

    Mar 15, 2007, 09:25 AM
    Take your car to AutoZone or O'Reilly Auto and they will test each of them for free. Otherwise, remove the battery and hook it up to a battery charger and see how much amperage it draws initially and how much it cuts back over time. If the battery dies shortly again, your alternator may be suspect.
    BoomerT's Avatar
    BoomerT Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #3

    Jul 27, 2008, 01:42 PM
    How do I tell if my car generater is working ?
    DjMC1217's Avatar
    DjMC1217 Posts: 1, Reputation: 1
    New Member
    		  
    #4

    Jan 3, 2011, 11:38 AM
    • Turn the car on.
    • pop the hood open.
    • unplug the positive wire from the battery ( red .
    • if the car turns off your generator does not work.
    • if the car stays on then its your battery( if u have trouble with power and starting your car.)


    Or

    Take it out and go to Auto zone and ask them to run some test for you.
    TxGreaseMonkey's Avatar
    TxGreaseMonkey Posts: 16,761, Reputation: 5597
    Uber Member
    		  
    #5

    Jan 3, 2011, 12:48 PM


    WARNING: Unless you want to fry your ECM, alternator, sensors, and stereo, do not disconnect the positive battery cable, while the engine is running. This old alternator test from the 1960s and 70s needs to be forgotten. Alternators depend on battery impedance for current regulation. Without the battery in the circuit, bus voltage may exceed the working voltage of many electronic systems. To summarize, removing a battery cable, with the engine running, causes voltage spikes which can damage the alternator, computer, and other electrical components in your vehicle.
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