Alternators are used to charge the battery in a car. They are also used to keep the car from running down while driving. They are located in the engine compartment.
In this article, we show you how to fix alternator not charging. We explain why it is important to check it, how to test it and how to fix it if it is bad.
STEP 1: Check the Alternator Connection
The first thing you need to do is check the alternator connection. The most common cause of this is a bad connection between the alternator and the battery. This involves removing the alternator from the vehicle, then checking the connections.
Fixing a vehicle’s alternator isn’t an easy job. It can be dangerous and complicated, so if you don’t know what you’re doing, you might end up hurting yourself.
STEP 2: Check the Battery
Next, check the battery. If you find a short circuit, disconnect the battery from the vehicle. Then check the terminals for corrosion.
The first thing to do is to ensure that the battery is charged. If the battery is low, it won’t be able to power the alternator. Check the voltage on the battery. If the voltage is below 13.8v, then it’s time to jump in the car and recharge it.
When the battery is charged, disconnect the negative battery cable from the battery. Then connect the positive battery cable to the alternator. Turn on the engine and watch the alternator charge.
If it doesn’t start charging, then check the connections. They should be tight and secure. There shouldn’t be any gaps or lose wires. You can also check the fuses. Make sure that they aren’t blown.
After you’ve verified all of the connections, disconnect the positive cable from the alternator. Disconnect the negative cable from the battery. Then turn off the engine and wait for the battery to recharge.
If it still doesn’t start charging, then there’s probably something wrong with the alternator itself and we recommend a full service to repair your alternator.
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STEP 3: Test the Alternator
If everything checks out, replace the alternator. If the alternator is still not charging properly, the battery may need to be replaced.
To check your alternator, remove the cover on the bottom of the engine compartment. On the left side of the engine compartment is a red plug. This plug should be connected to the alternator. Remove the plug and you will see a white wire that connects to the plug.
Unplug the white wire and connect it to your battery. Check the voltage at the battery terminals. If the voltage is low, the alternator is not charging. If the voltage is too high, the alternator is damaged.
If the voltage is low, replace the alternator. It is easy to find a replacement part. Look for a new alternator.
If the voltage is too high, turn off the ignition switch and disconnect the positive battery terminal. The alternator will run down and the voltage will drop.
If the voltage drops below 12.5 volts, turn the ignition back on and reconnect the positive battery terminal. The alternator will be recharged and the voltage will rise to 15 volts or higher.
