[a.graham52]

Originally Posted by zearchyo

" The alternator is connected to the engine by a belt and generates electricity to recharge the battery. The battery makes 12-volt power available to everything in the car needing electricity (the ignition system, radio, headlights, windshield wipers, power windows and seats, computers, etc.) through the vehicle's wiring." Quote from howstuffworks.com

credit to sleepyalero for pointing this out.

" When an alternator begins to fail, or fails outright, the car's battery begins to take up the slack rather than acting as a capacitor for the system by receiving a constant infusion of electrical power from the alternator. Car batteries are not designed for long-term power use. They're designed to provide the vehicle with enough electrical oomph to start by juicing the starter motor with a surge of power and getting the whole works spinning." Quote from howstuffworks.com


" Diagnosing a dead battery versus a dead alternator is relatively easy. Simply jump-start the car and then remove the cables as quickly as possible. Then wait. If the alternator is failing to charge the system, the car will soon die again and the problem has been pinpointed. If the car runs and continues to run, then it's likely the problem is with the battery." Quote from howstuffworks.com



I have not thing against a.graham52, just to make it clear. I simply had to redeem my name and my good word, thats all.

Just another way to say, what I had previously said. So i guess its okay to test for faulty alternators like this in a DIY fashion

Can this be my first sticky then?

Just to make myself clear seeings how I now know what ur saying.... the first time u said remove the batter cable (from the battery) leaving only one cable still attched to the battery is a huge no no atleast with newer cars with all these ECUs. Removing a jumper cable from the car (as u stated the second time clearly) is ok. no hard feelens