How to Determine if the Alternator is Damaged?
1 Answers
Here are the methods to determine if the alternator is damaged: 1. Keep the alternator running and use a voltmeter to test the battery. The voltage reading at this time should be around 13 volts or slightly higher. If the voltage fluctuates between 13 and 14 volts at different speeds, the alternator is in good condition. On the other hand, if the voltage remains unchanged or decreases, the alternator is indeed faulty. 2. Start the engine, turn it off after a few minutes, and touch the alternator. If the alternator is very hot, the bearings may be worn or the insulated copper windings may be damaged, indicating that the alternator will soon fail. 3. Turn on the radio and start the engine. If the radio crackles or the sound quality becomes fuzzy whenever you step on the throttle, it is very likely that the alternator is problematic. 4. Measure and record the battery voltage with a voltmeter when the car is not running. Then start the car and measure the battery voltage again, recording the reading. If the car's alternator is not damaged, the battery voltage will be higher when the car is running. 5. Turn on the car's headlights and observe their brightness. Then start the car, and the lights may dim. If there is a noticeable change in brightness before and after starting, becoming much brighter, the alternator is normal, but the battery may be faulty.