Scotty, While moving some hoses around to get access to my alternator, I spilled some antifreeze on it. Not a lot but...more than none. Should I be worried or try to flush it in some way? The alt. was previously fine, I just needed to replace external voltage regulator.
I've got a 92 S10 Blazer and just a few hours ago it sounded like it was going to stall out, and the headlights and interior lights kept flashing. It also would not accelerate at all. Is that the alternator or the tranny??
@gtman0890 could be lots of things, including all those. places like auto zones test the alternators and battery free, start there. Pray it's that simple
@gtman0890 NO, never do that. It can fry the computer. ONly old dinosaur carburetored cars could have that done. It could be the fuel filter, and about 50 other things. Test, don't guess.
@scottykilmer Okay thanks. lol How would I test for other things? Would I just have to have to have it towed to a shop? Or are there things I can do from home?
I love your videos, they are the best car repair videos on youtube, in my opinion. You keep your videos short and to the point, and you make then entertaining. Other people like EricTheCarGuy lose my interest cause their videos are way too long.
My 2003 Ford Explorer has a bad alternator. The ABS brake light comes on when the battery is almost dead. Is that common in Ford's like you said for Toyota? thanks for the help
thats a starter motor lol. I'm looking for advice on removing the alternator on a 98 corolla but, everyone on youtube keeps removing starter motors instead.. blast, you americans are mad lol. Good video though, might visit you website. cheers
heyy @scottykilmer well i got my engine rebuild nd seens thenn my car lights dontt wanna turn compliantly off so evey time when turn off my car i gotta disconnect the battery off so it wontt discharge the battery... so can somebody plz tell me whats wrong with it??
So let's say the battery is good and the alternator is good would the next thing to check would be the starter or is there any other things to check cause my car doesn't crank up it sounds like it wants to but doesn't,the lights come on for a few seconds then poof they turn of wat could it be
Hey scotty I have an 03 Mitsubishi eclipse that sometimes out of now where it will take like 2-3 attemps to start or it won't start at all. like the other day I went to tacobell turned the car off and a couple of seconds later I decided I wanted to go trough drive trhu and my car just didn't start @ all I had to jump started! After that my engine light came on for a few hours. My car now starts normal but like I said it will probably start doing the same crap here soon
hey i have a 92 accord wagon the pully was loose the guy i got it off of he told me it just has to be tighten .the week after the alternator belt cam off i put it back on and the hole pully just like legit snap off when i started car anyone knows what to do? if i had to get a new pullly or something broke .please let me know thanks
@JxPhan remove the fan belts and run the engine. Then see which makes the noise stop, and pull on the offending pulley, they normally will feel not smoother when you turn em then.
I have a car audio system and my freakin brake light is ALWAYS ON!!! But not the battery light. Im replacing my alternator soon so maybe that will fix it.
Scotty, thanks for posting this. I enjoy your humour and approach. I was looking for a video on Mazda MPV's, but never found one. However, your video gave me the confidence to attempt this on my own Mazda. It took me 3 hours, and what a hazzel. Thanks so much for your great video's, keep up the good work!
I am currently working a 1991 Honda Civic CRX. I am in the process of removing the alternator. The top bolt is off, however the bottom bolt is rusted on or bent, I am not quite sure. How do you go about removing it because I tried punching it out? I've tried just about everything, except torching the bolt to heat it up.
scotty my names scott and i own a 1990 jeep wagoneer inline 6....and my volt gauge tells me the battery is running under 12v...now latly i noticed my altenator would have a hart time just keeping over 13v with head lights ...then it drop to 12.50 if i used a/c....nowwww my altenator isnt doing ANYTHING ...could it be somthing else or is it really a bad alt?
Hey Scotty, I replaced the Alternator today, because my car running had 10.01 volts while running. I replaced it today, and the voltage is still bad. PLEASE HELP :(
@shotox21 don't guess, test. Places like auto zone test batterys and alternators free. Could just be a bad battery , it will do that when really worn out. If not, assuming the alternator is OK, and rebuilts often aren't, then you've got a wiring problem on the charging wiring. Scotty
So mr.scotty. If i could get a alternator that was made for a diffrent make and made sure i got all the connections on it would it in theory work even though it wasn't made for my car?
when ever i use the electric windows or ac or headlights the battery gauge volt meter drops and then go back to normal,but u feel the lack of voltage in the engine,if i switch the ac off and iam braking the engine stalls and the volt meter plays up and down,i am really tired of this car scotty,some one told me to replace the regulator inside the alternator or tight the fan belt
hey scotty, I think nissan has the same wiring system. my parking light and battery lights are on. but i know exactly what happend. my alternator drive belt snapped while I drive. but do u think a snapped alternator belt could cause these lights to come on? and how long do I have until I run out of battery? (93 nissan 240sx)
hi scotty! im just wondering about the connections to the alternator. you didn't mention about it i guess. can you show us that because i'm having problem with my alternator and i found out your videos are so helpfull. thanks!
you know when you took out one of the battery terminals, did you take out the negative? and also, when you said to charge your battery fully before you install the alternater, did you charge it while one of the terminal was taken off before? or did you reinstalled the terminal then you charged it?
scotty got a question 4 ya 1991 Astro died driving down the street wont start wont crank appears battery is dead since it was driven all over theres no need for a dead battery i am 99% positive it is a bad or failed alternator is it? how much does a rebuilt astro alternator cost? also can the alternator be tested by disconnecting the battery while it is running?
Just a thought. If motor oil gets on the brushes and slip rings, the brushes will start to "hydroplane" on a film of oil and not make contact with the slip rings killing current flow to the rotor winding - hence no alternator output. So IF motor oil IS the problem, you should be able to just fix the oil leak and spray switch contact cleaner or other appropriate solvent into the slip ring side of the alternator to remove the oil and hopefully avoid the pain/expense of alternator replacement.
For the ones without a fancy tester, you can use a regular multimeter, when the car is running, it should read above 12V (normally between 13-14V), if it reads below 12V, your alternator is not charging correctly.
@cccssscccsss2 that's a good beginning test, but alterantors are WAAY too complex to be tested correctly with such a simple test. You have to test the diode ripple, load test the alternator, and perform other tests that this machine does automatically. Scotty
@scottykilmer@cccssscccsss2 Or take it to a Local AUTOZONE and we would be happy to help you figure the problem with the alternator on your car or out of the car following Mr. Kilmer's procedures.
@scottykilmer scotty after changing my alternator my car turns on and runs fine again. my brother thinks my belt is too loose because it makes huge noise on idle all the way to 2nd gear. afterwards it becomes quite.
My Dodge Grand Caravan Le (1996) 3.3L ran fine all day. I turned the corner and the engine stalled. I kept trying to start the van, it turns over and immediately dies. The neighbor tried forcing it to run by holding the gas pedal to the floor. The converter turned orange and started the grass on fire under the van. Changed converter and muffler. Van will turn over but still dies immediately. I got code 31 off the key. Scanner says 0 codes. Lost without a scanner code, any suggestions.
@CCaslopea Turning orange means the cat is getting WAAY too hot, normally in your situation that means it's waay too lean a fuel mixture. that's often a weak fuel pump, so test its pressure first. Scotty
Good tip about charging the battery first before starting. I would like to recommend you make a video on how to change drum break shoes. A friend of mine did his and he said he had a terrible time doing them. I've only had to do breaks pads so far and would love to see how you don them.
i had the same problem with my 92 toyota paseo well beein a 18 year old car something has to break. but that is the only major thing that i had to replace beside the engine oil since i own it from 1998 and still going strong lets see if i make it to 200,000 miles i got 150.579 miles on it
The brake light on the Toyota reminds me of something similar that happened to a car I used to own. It was a 97 Chevrolet Cavalier, and it was the ABS light that came on (first steady, then flashing). I think it happened when my battery went bad, and again at a later instance with the alternator. I don't recall the battery light coming on at all in either case.
I love your videos Can i ask I have a Ford Fiesta here in the UK and when I start her her the alternator belt makes a twittering noise is this normal? How do I know the correct tension for the belt and if it needs replacing? it does not scream but makes a funny noise for about 10 seconds like it is been loaded
@jimisback NO NO NO, NEVER do that on a modern car. On and old 65 mustang, sure. But modern cars use computers for everything, and if you disconnect the battery cable with the car running to test the alternator for charging, you can FRY the computer. DO NOT DO THIS. Scotty
@scottykilmer but some older cars(injection) when u disconnect the battery the engine dies, but the battery is always full and works, whats with that? Are there alternators that cant work without battery or what?
@bigDbigDbigD You need a good tester to check out alternators, Period. But then again, places like auto zone check em for free in their parking lots. Simple voltage and amp tests are not enough to truly test an alternator. Scotty
@Jerkwad152 Yes, that has been noted already. It's already fixed on the vehicle, I can't show everything in one three minute video. And what's up with the Jerkwad name? You must be one to criticize yourself with that handle. Scotty
Thanks Scotty! I had a Daihatsu Charade a few years back and the Alternator died. Those lights came on and I hadn't a clue that the car itself was telling me to change it.
On my 1984 Cressida when the alternator goes bad, all of the lights on the cluster are illuminated, not just the charge and brake light. I think it's that way for many of the older Toyotas. When the cluster is lit like a Christmas Tree, you know the alternator is bad. Great feature.
I've always heard the same. You want a freshly fully charged battery at the same time you install the new alternator, or it will work ovetime trying to recharge your not fully charged battery. I've always done this and it's good to see Scotty confirm that this is indeed the case.
For expensive alternators I have my local alternator rebuilder fix them at a fraction of the cost of new. It's usually just worn brushes, regulators, or diodes.
Some are dirt cheap so new is sometimes best option
@coldpak82 Well, the battery being low won't short out a computer by itself, but a shorting out battery certainly can, as the alternator will send more juice which can surge and short the computer. Scotty
ey scotty when you said burn the alternator,means that having a new alternator and a bad low voltage not charged battery is like having no battery at all right?that can cause inside burn in the alternator for taking solong to charge practically a cold box with plumb and electrolite with no conductivy,thats what you meant?cause i had a doubt how a alternator can be burt with a uncharged batt,,cheers thnks again :)
@serchmarc If the battery is really low, the alternator will have to work like mad to charge it, often overheating the alternator. Alts are made to work correctly ONLY when they have the proper battery voltage sent to them. Scotty
what if there is no problem with the alternator? I have a 2001 civic with the battery light on but no sign of a bad battery or a bad alternator and the car starts without problem and the battery has not drained. I have taken my car to several mechanics and no one can give me a reason why the light does not come off. any suggestions?
@g905a In your case, the warning system has broken down. Either a wiring short exists in the wiring between the alternator and the warning light in the dash, OR the alternator warning circuit has burned out even though it's charging fine. I do see this occasionally in Hondas and you can live with it. Scotty
@smithraymond09029 12 volts systems are not dangerous to work on in the rain. You can put your tongue on a car battery and nothing will happen, unless you have a hybrid electric. Scotty
@GameUrg Try changing the fluid, put in fully synthetic fluid, and one quart of lucas tranny additive. Then pray that helps, cause otherwise BIG money rebuilding the tranny. good luck, Scotty
Hi Scotty, I have a problem with my '99 ford contour, on some days when I am driving it and as soon as I let go of the gas to brake and stop, say 40 - 0 my RPM's drop from about 2500 to about 900 and it hovers there and then my engine cuts out. What do you think could be causing this? I also have my check engine light on indicating lean A/F mixture and also a hole in my catalytic converter.
@xoncide Fix the hole first, that could be the whole problem (bit of a joke there phonetically .) An exhaust hole will often cause lean running.Scotty
Thanks, Scotty. These videos are great. I guess I thought I already knew how to do this, but your tip to recharge the battery first is gold.
You tested this with a meter while the alternator was still in the car. Can I go to a parts dealer and ask them to test the alternator for me?
A few years ago my mechanic fixed my voltage regulator, without having to replace the alternator. A silver star for him, I probably wold have replace the whole unit....
@jonjeny ah, but peoples' attention spans on the norm are getting lower and lower. Today 3 minutes is a long time for the average joe to actually concentrate. Scotty
@scottykilmer maybe true but your subs watch the videos to see how its done but some scenes get edited and you get hurled question apon question.. how do i do this.. if i done would this work too.. etc etc.. im sure people would watch them if the videos were full.
I just made a video a couple of weeks ago changing my alternator. I have a Mitsubishi Galant and the battery and brake light were on at the same time too. I fried my battery before I realized that it was the alternator. Nice video. Too bad you didn't make it 3 weeks ago. I may have saved my battery. Keep up the great videos.
@RacerE7773 Mits have expensive parts, period. But toyotas and hondas are not that way, because of a GIANT aftermarket parts bonanza as they sell millions of car. I too would never buy a mits though. Scotty
@scottykilmer Would it REALLY be worth looking into a rice burner then? I want to get another car someday, but don't want a "deathbox" nor expensive parts.
@RacerE7773 Old Toyotas all the way. The cars are tough as nails. Parts are inexpensive and the cars are pretty easy to work on. As long as its in Ok shape, an early to mid 90's Corolla is one of the easiest cars to keep on the road, in running costs and maintenance. Just look at how many you still see on the road today, its crazy.
Scotty, While moving some hoses around to get access to my alternator, I spilled some antifreeze on it. Not a lot but...more than none. Should I be worried or try to flush it in some way? The alt. was previously fine, I just needed to replace external voltage regulator.
Thanks for all the great videos!
helmetcommittee 17 hours ago
@helmetcommittee just spray some brake cleaner around there, that will get it off, no worries.
scottykilmer 11 hours ago
Hey Scotty,
I've got a 92 S10 Blazer and just a few hours ago it sounded like it was going to stall out, and the headlights and interior lights kept flashing. It also would not accelerate at all. Is that the alternator or the tranny??
Please respond because I'm freaking out! lol
Thanks!
gtman0890 1 week ago
@gtman0890 could be lots of things, including all those. places like auto zones test the alternators and battery free, start there. Pray it's that simple
scottykilmer 1 week ago
@scottykilmer Thanks so much for the reply man! Any ideas on what else it could possibly be??
gtman0890 1 week ago
@gtman0890 yea, have the alternator tested and battery to see if that's the root problem.
scottykilmer 1 week ago
@scottykilmer Can't you test the alternator by idling the vehicle and disconnecting the battery?
Also...any chance it could be the fuel filter??
gtman0890 1 week ago
@gtman0890 NO, never do that. It can fry the computer. ONly old dinosaur carburetored cars could have that done. It could be the fuel filter, and about 50 other things. Test, don't guess.
scottykilmer 1 week ago
@scottykilmer Okay thanks. lol How would I test for other things? Would I just have to have to have it towed to a shop? Or are there things I can do from home?
gtman0890 6 days ago
@gtman0890 if you have no equipment, get it towed. Can't fix a modern car with your bare hands and without electronic testing equipment.
scottykilmer 6 days ago
I love your videos, they are the best car repair videos on youtube, in my opinion. You keep your videos short and to the point, and you make then entertaining. Other people like EricTheCarGuy lose my interest cause their videos are way too long.
suddnstar 2 weeks ago in playlist More videos from scottykilmer
Thanks Scotty, U ROCK!!!!!
MrProjectpat15 2 weeks ago
Man!!! You Saved me 450 bucks!!!
caioghiotto 2 weeks ago
@scottykilmer damn really, saving up for one, needs lots of work though
miamiheat4251 3 weeks ago
have you ever worked on a 1987 dodge ram...
miamiheat4251 3 weeks ago
@miamiheat4251 yes, and they don't impress me, many design flaws.
scottykilmer 3 weeks ago
My 2003 Ford Explorer has a bad alternator. The ABS brake light comes on when the battery is almost dead. Is that common in Ford's like you said for Toyota? thanks for the help
WlSEGUY 3 weeks ago
@WlSEGUY yes, they will often do that, replace the alt first and check the battery, it can be ruined by a bad alternaot.r
scottykilmer 3 weeks ago
thats a starter motor lol. I'm looking for advice on removing the alternator on a 98 corolla but, everyone on youtube keeps removing starter motors instead.. blast, you americans are mad lol. Good video though, might visit you website. cheers
winstonchurchillist 3 weeks ago
My boy.!! thanks
Bahamaboy19 1 month ago
heyy @scottykilmer well i got my engine rebuild nd seens thenn my car lights dontt wanna turn compliantly off so evey time when turn off my car i gotta disconnect the battery off so it wontt discharge the battery... so can somebody plz tell me whats wrong with it??
urDADDYYY 1 month ago
So let's say the battery is good and the alternator is good would the next thing to check would be the starter or is there any other things to check cause my car doesn't crank up it sounds like it wants to but doesn't,the lights come on for a few seconds then poof they turn of wat could it be
mav93angel93 1 month ago
@mav93angel93 yes, bad starters do that, but so do cars with wiring shorts, espeically ground shorts.
scottykilmer 1 month ago
scottykilmer's a crack up, i love him. hey @scottykilmer any tips on a nissan, preferred a 91 240sx?
1stBONER 1 month ago
@1stBONER I've got a customer with on, it still runs like a champ. Just change the oil and service the fluids regularly
scottykilmer 1 month ago
Also I wanted to say thank you very much for posting all this videos on here they really help and save ppl a lot of money
mrg052 2 months ago
Hey scotty I have an 03 Mitsubishi eclipse that sometimes out of now where it will take like 2-3 attemps to start or it won't start at all. like the other day I went to tacobell turned the car off and a couple of seconds later I decided I wanted to go trough drive trhu and my car just didn't start @ all I had to jump started! After that my engine light came on for a few hours. My car now starts normal but like I said it will probably start doing the same crap here soon
mrg052 2 months ago
hey i have a 92 accord wagon the pully was loose the guy i got it off of he told me it just has to be tighten .the week after the alternator belt cam off i put it back on and the hole pully just like legit snap off when i started car anyone knows what to do? if i had to get a new pullly or something broke .please let me know thanks
JdmLovee978 2 months ago
Hey SCotty theres a grinding noise coming form my engine it think its either the alternator or water pump. any way to check the difference?
JxPhan 2 months ago
@JxPhan remove the fan belts and run the engine. Then see which makes the noise stop, and pull on the offending pulley, they normally will feel not smoother when you turn em then.
scottykilmer 2 months ago
Comment removed
JxPhan 2 months ago
@JxPhan I've never worked on that model, so I don't know. Wouldn't surprise me on stupid VWs though, crap designs galore.
scottykilmer 2 months ago
I have a car audio system and my freakin brake light is ALWAYS ON!!! But not the battery light. Im replacing my alternator soon so maybe that will fix it.
SenorDennis 3 months ago
@SenorDennis of course check the fluid level and the brake switch on the emergency brake, that turns it on if they are bad. Scotty
scottykilmer 3 months ago
THANKS SCOTTY. YOU'RE AWESOME. ALREADY REPLACED MY STARTER AND MY ALTERNATOR THANKS TO YOU.
starseedfilms 3 months ago
Scotty, thanks for posting this. I enjoy your humour and approach. I was looking for a video on Mazda MPV's, but never found one. However, your video gave me the confidence to attempt this on my own Mazda. It took me 3 hours, and what a hazzel. Thanks so much for your great video's, keep up the good work!
Jeari 4 months ago
I am currently working a 1991 Honda Civic CRX. I am in the process of removing the alternator. The top bolt is off, however the bottom bolt is rusted on or bent, I am not quite sure. How do you go about removing it because I tried punching it out? I've tried just about everything, except torching the bolt to heat it up.
Sorman26 4 months ago
@Sorman26 get out the torch, or cut it off with a cut off tool, or remove the whole assembly it's bolted to for more working room once off. scotty
scottykilmer 4 months ago
scotty my names scott and i own a 1990 jeep wagoneer inline 6....and my volt gauge tells me the battery is running under 12v...now latly i noticed my altenator would have a hart time just keeping over 13v with head lights ...then it drop to 12.50 if i used a/c....nowwww my altenator isnt doing ANYTHING ...could it be somthing else or is it really a bad alt?
MegaXcookiemonsterX 4 months ago
@MegaXcookiemonsterX Generally just a bad alternator, they only last so long Scotty
scottykilmer 4 months ago
Hey Scotty, I replaced the Alternator today, because my car running had 10.01 volts while running. I replaced it today, and the voltage is still bad. PLEASE HELP :(
shotox21 5 months ago
@shotox21 don't guess, test. Places like auto zone test batterys and alternators free. Could just be a bad battery , it will do that when really worn out. If not, assuming the alternator is OK, and rebuilts often aren't, then you've got a wiring problem on the charging wiring. Scotty
scottykilmer 5 months ago
@scottykilmer Thanks scotty, I'll take it in..
shotox21 5 months ago
So mr.scotty. If i could get a alternator that was made for a diffrent make and made sure i got all the connections on it would it in theory work even though it wasn't made for my car?
juanharu13 5 months ago
@juanharu13 yea, but most use different mounting brackets and different wiring harness connectors, so the odds are against you. Scotty
scottykilmer 5 months ago
when ever i use the electric windows or ac or headlights the battery gauge volt meter drops and then go back to normal,but u feel the lack of voltage in the engine,if i switch the ac off and iam braking the engine stalls and the volt meter plays up and down,i am really tired of this car scotty,some one told me to replace the regulator inside the alternator or tight the fan belt
lowlow643 6 months ago
@lowlow643 tighten the belt and if it still does it, replace the alternator. Scotty
scottykilmer 6 months ago
what is the correct name of the wire harness that plugs into the back of the alternator?
MrAnthony78666 6 months ago
@MrAnthony78666 What's in a name? I always called it the alternator wiring harness myself. scotty
scottykilmer 6 months ago
i'm doing this tomorrow. very cool.
MrAnthony78666 6 months ago
Nicely explained, thanks!
downhoe 6 months ago
hey scotty, I think nissan has the same wiring system. my parking light and battery lights are on. but i know exactly what happend. my alternator drive belt snapped while I drive. but do u think a snapped alternator belt could cause these lights to come on? and how long do I have until I run out of battery? (93 nissan 240sx)
anttrap321 7 months ago
@anttrap321 depends on what you use, if you don't use the ac and don't drive at night, maybe 50 miles tops. Just put a new belt on. Scotty
scottykilmer 7 months ago
I wish my accent was that easy to remove it was a stupid pulley that keeps me busy for awhile.
Po0rEmerica 8 months ago
Wow, it seems fairly easy. Is this process similar in all cars?
Jabez38 8 months ago
@Jabez38 yep, some are harder to reach than others, but the same process. Scotty
scottykilmer 8 months ago
thanks scotty! such a great help!
smasherb216 9 months ago
hi scotty! im just wondering about the connections to the alternator. you didn't mention about it i guess. can you show us that because i'm having problem with my alternator and i found out your videos are so helpfull. thanks!
smasherb216 9 months ago
@smasherb216 they just plug in and bolt in for the main power. simple. Scotty
scottykilmer 9 months ago
U can also take off the neg terminal to check the charging system,if the car shuts off the alternator is bad
hp11208 10 months ago
this was an absolutely fantastic video Scotty, helped me out a lot! Thanks for posting!
bmxpunker2005 10 months ago
when i click the turning signal in a motorcyle, all the signals blink at the same time.
do yu know how to fix this.?
suwee75 11 months ago
@suwee75 change the flasher first, could be that simple. Scotty
scottykilmer 11 months ago
you know when you took out one of the battery terminals, did you take out the negative? and also, when you said to charge your battery fully before you install the alternater, did you charge it while one of the terminal was taken off before? or did you reinstalled the terminal then you charged it?
MrKaoVue 1 year ago
@MrKaoVue Doesn't matter which one you take off, it disconnects the circuit either way. charge it with the terminal off. Scotty
scottykilmer 11 months ago
scotty got a question 4 ya 1991 Astro died driving down the street wont start wont crank appears battery is dead since it was driven all over theres no need for a dead battery i am 99% positive it is a bad or failed alternator is it? how much does a rebuilt astro alternator cost? also can the alternator be tested by disconnecting the battery while it is running?
Matthew55904 1 year ago
I really like your videos scotty! It always helps me to find out the problems of my car.
But when it comes to repairing, I have no knoledge and experience about cars...
Should I be touching mechanical things of my car even after watching your videos..?
057gnb3316sef6 1 year ago
Had to do this today on my '87 Toyota. What a pain.
theblackcrowe2003 1 year ago
Just a thought. If motor oil gets on the brushes and slip rings, the brushes will start to "hydroplane" on a film of oil and not make contact with the slip rings killing current flow to the rotor winding - hence no alternator output. So IF motor oil IS the problem, you should be able to just fix the oil leak and spray switch contact cleaner or other appropriate solvent into the slip ring side of the alternator to remove the oil and hopefully avoid the pain/expense of alternator replacement.
johnmartin1024 1 year ago
Another excellent video Scotty, keep em comin....Thanks.
cjtf 1 year ago
For the ones without a fancy tester, you can use a regular multimeter, when the car is running, it should read above 12V (normally between 13-14V), if it reads below 12V, your alternator is not charging correctly.
cccssscccsss2 1 year ago
@cccssscccsss2 that's a good beginning test, but alterantors are WAAY too complex to be tested correctly with such a simple test. You have to test the diode ripple, load test the alternator, and perform other tests that this machine does automatically. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
@scottykilmer @cccssscccsss2 Or take it to a Local AUTOZONE and we would be happy to help you figure the problem with the alternator on your car or out of the car following Mr. Kilmer's procedures.
MrSTANGlover 1 year ago
@scottykilmer scotty after changing my alternator my car turns on and runs fine again. my brother thinks my belt is too loose because it makes huge noise on idle all the way to 2nd gear. afterwards it becomes quite.
mengthor 1 year ago
My Dodge Grand Caravan Le (1996) 3.3L ran fine all day. I turned the corner and the engine stalled. I kept trying to start the van, it turns over and immediately dies. The neighbor tried forcing it to run by holding the gas pedal to the floor. The converter turned orange and started the grass on fire under the van. Changed converter and muffler. Van will turn over but still dies immediately. I got code 31 off the key. Scanner says 0 codes. Lost without a scanner code, any suggestions.
CCaslopea 1 year ago
@CCaslopea Turning orange means the cat is getting WAAY too hot, normally in your situation that means it's waay too lean a fuel mixture. that's often a weak fuel pump, so test its pressure first. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
Good tip about charging the battery first before starting. I would like to recommend you make a video on how to change drum break shoes. A friend of mine did his and he said he had a terrible time doing them. I've only had to do breaks pads so far and would love to see how you don them.
moofushu 1 year ago
@moofushu Sure, the next time I do a drum brake job I'll film it. BUT, there aren't that many drums left on the road so it might be a while. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
Scotty, what makes
jvsee12345 1 year ago
thanks for doing that
RaymanPower 1 year ago
your a good man
RaymanPower 1 year ago
Great video.
Thanks .
MAKABRA2010 1 year ago
i had the same problem with my 92 toyota paseo well beein a 18 year old car something has to break. but that is the only major thing that i had to replace beside the engine oil since i own it from 1998 and still going strong lets see if i make it to 200,000 miles i got 150.579 miles on it
got to love toyotas
honduman123 1 year ago
The brake light on the Toyota reminds me of something similar that happened to a car I used to own. It was a 97 Chevrolet Cavalier, and it was the ABS light that came on (first steady, then flashing). I think it happened when my battery went bad, and again at a later instance with the alternator. I don't recall the battery light coming on at all in either case.
Anyway, great video!
henryd1981 1 year ago
@henryd1981 Correction: it was the AIR BAG light that came on, not the ABS light.
henryd1981 1 year ago
HI Scotty
I love your videos Can i ask I have a Ford Fiesta here in the UK and when I start her her the alternator belt makes a twittering noise is this normal? How do I know the correct tension for the belt and if it needs replacing? it does not scream but makes a funny noise for about 10 seconds like it is been loaded
Thanks in advance
Ian
sandydogy 1 year ago
love your video's. even they are short they get to the basic's and really help people out.
dragonman14 1 year ago
@dragonman14 Short and easy to learn of if you aren´t that good on mechanics....i love it to bud =)
chrilla1980 1 year ago
You should show people how to disconnect the battery, to see if the alternater works.
jimisback 1 year ago
@jimisback NO NO NO, NEVER do that on a modern car. On and old 65 mustang, sure. But modern cars use computers for everything, and if you disconnect the battery cable with the car running to test the alternator for charging, you can FRY the computer. DO NOT DO THIS. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago 2
@scottykilmer That´s nothing but truth.....listen to his comment so you don´t make a misstake that can cost you big bucks.
chrilla1980 1 year ago
@scottykilmer but some older cars(injection) when u disconnect the battery the engine dies, but the battery is always full and works, whats with that? Are there alternators that cant work without battery or what?
kkzxxx 1 year ago
@scottykilmer Thanks Scotty, I'll remember that. Love your videos.
jimisback 1 year ago
@scottykilmer I have always did it that way and never had a problem.
FreeTalkLive 1 year ago
Scotty, how about a way to test without the Midtronics tester? We all don't have one.
thanks
bigDbigDbigD 1 year ago
@bigDbigDbigD You need a good tester to check out alternators, Period. But then again, places like auto zone check em for free in their parking lots. Simple voltage and amp tests are not enough to truly test an alternator. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
@bigDbigDbigD you can use the old way start up the engine and disconect the positive terminal oof the battery if the car stall the alt is fried
elnenelindopr 1 year ago
Looks like a bad valve cover gasket, too, leaking oil into that thing.
Jerkwad152 1 year ago
@Jerkwad152 Yes, that has been noted already. It's already fixed on the vehicle, I can't show everything in one three minute video. And what's up with the Jerkwad name? You must be one to criticize yourself with that handle. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
@scottykilmer
Sorry 'bout that. I have a tendency to nitpick things like that. it wasn't a shot at you by any means. :)
Jerkwad152 1 year ago
Thanks Scotty! I had a Daihatsu Charade a few years back and the Alternator died. Those lights came on and I hadn't a clue that the car itself was telling me to change it.
HamsterRickProductio 1 year ago
Subaru's also have both the brake and battery lights come on when the alternator is bad. I had to replace the alternator in my Outback two years ago.
shelton705 1 year ago
On my 1984 Cressida when the alternator goes bad, all of the lights on the cluster are illuminated, not just the charge and brake light. I think it's that way for many of the older Toyotas. When the cluster is lit like a Christmas Tree, you know the alternator is bad. Great feature.
crackaddict444 1 year ago
@crackaddict444 Yes, they do that. The newer ones don't, but the oldsters did. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
I've always heard the same. You want a freshly fully charged battery at the same time you install the new alternator, or it will work ovetime trying to recharge your not fully charged battery. I've always done this and it's good to see Scotty confirm that this is indeed the case.
For expensive alternators I have my local alternator rebuilder fix them at a fraction of the cost of new. It's usually just worn brushes, regulators, or diodes.
Some are dirt cheap so new is sometimes best option
TranceScene 1 year ago
Scotty,Is it true a low battery can short out a computer?
coldpak82 1 year ago
@coldpak82 Well, the battery being low won't short out a computer by itself, but a shorting out battery certainly can, as the alternator will send more juice which can surge and short the computer. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
ey scotty when you said burn the alternator,means that having a new alternator and a bad low voltage not charged battery is like having no battery at all right?that can cause inside burn in the alternator for taking solong to charge practically a cold box with plumb and electrolite with no conductivy,thats what you meant?cause i had a doubt how a alternator can be burt with a uncharged batt,,cheers thnks again :)
serchmarc 1 year ago
@serchmarc If the battery is really low, the alternator will have to work like mad to charge it, often overheating the alternator. Alts are made to work correctly ONLY when they have the proper battery voltage sent to them. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
one of the worst things u would not like to encounter in cars problems, a really bad Alternator .
TeDuaMalakie 1 year ago
what if there is no problem with the alternator? I have a 2001 civic with the battery light on but no sign of a bad battery or a bad alternator and the car starts without problem and the battery has not drained. I have taken my car to several mechanics and no one can give me a reason why the light does not come off. any suggestions?
g905a 1 year ago
@g905a In your case, the warning system has broken down. Either a wiring short exists in the wiring between the alternator and the warning light in the dash, OR the alternator warning circuit has burned out even though it's charging fine. I do see this occasionally in Hondas and you can live with it. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
hey Scotty, do u repair diesel cars? Its just that i havent seen any in ur videos :D
kkzxxx 1 year ago
@kkzxxx I don't work on too many diesels, used to work on a lot of Mercedes diesels but they lost popularity here in the states. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
Working on electrical in the rain. I love it!
smithraymond09029 1 year ago
@smithraymond09029 12 volts systems are not dangerous to work on in the rain. You can put your tongue on a car battery and nothing will happen, unless you have a hybrid electric. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
dangit i wish i could work on easy car projects like you do. everything i am offered is hard as hell to work on
fordbroncodave 1 year ago
hey scotty im having some transmission slippage! what should i do you some protucts or change the transmission oil?
GameUrg 1 year ago
@GameUrg Try changing the fluid, put in fully synthetic fluid, and one quart of lucas tranny additive. Then pray that helps, cause otherwise BIG money rebuilding the tranny. good luck, Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
Hi Scotty, I have a problem with my '99 ford contour, on some days when I am driving it and as soon as I let go of the gas to brake and stop, say 40 - 0 my RPM's drop from about 2500 to about 900 and it hovers there and then my engine cuts out. What do you think could be causing this? I also have my check engine light on indicating lean A/F mixture and also a hole in my catalytic converter.
xoncide 1 year ago
@xoncide Fix the hole first, that could be the whole problem (bit of a joke there phonetically .) An exhaust hole will often cause lean running.Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
Thanks, Scotty. These videos are great. I guess I thought I already knew how to do this, but your tip to recharge the battery first is gold.
You tested this with a meter while the alternator was still in the car. Can I go to a parts dealer and ask them to test the alternator for me?
A few years ago my mechanic fixed my voltage regulator, without having to replace the alternator. A silver star for him, I probably wold have replace the whole unit....
Dave
spelunkerd 1 year ago
@spelunkerd Yes, you can get them tested off the car, but then you have to take it all off, which is a pain. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
Woah that's a neat bit of into about Toyotas brake+battery lights, never knew that!
Duratec86 1 year ago
Those alternators are usually bulletproof. What about the oil leak though? I'd try and fix it, or the new part'll be ruined too.
fixinggrace 1 year ago
@fixinggrace New valve gaskets fixed the oil leak. I can't show everything in a three minute video. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago 2
@scottykilmer It would be a plus to mention, since its in the comments good enough,.
studpuppy69 1 year ago
@scottykilmer if it means showing everything will make the videos longer..then do it we'll all still watch your video's.
jonjeny 1 year ago
@jonjeny ah, but peoples' attention spans on the norm are getting lower and lower. Today 3 minutes is a long time for the average joe to actually concentrate. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
@scottykilmer maybe true but your subs watch the videos to see how its done but some scenes get edited and you get hurled question apon question.. how do i do this.. if i done would this work too.. etc etc.. im sure people would watch them if the videos were full.
jonjeny 1 year ago
@scottykilmer well iam here to learn so keep em coming!
6Camel6Finger6 1 year ago
@scottykilmer It doesn't have to be 3 minutes, I actually would love it if it were longer, cause i like to listen to you, lol.
Pray4Lifedotcom 1 year ago
I just made a video a couple of weeks ago changing my alternator. I have a Mitsubishi Galant and the battery and brake light were on at the same time too. I fried my battery before I realized that it was the alternator. Nice video. Too bad you didn't make it 3 weeks ago. I may have saved my battery. Keep up the great videos.
paisteboy 1 year ago
@paisteboy We had the same problem with my wife's '93 diamante. We're never buying foreign again. That car was outrageous with costs for parts.
RacerE7773 1 year ago
@RacerE7773 Mits have expensive parts, period. But toyotas and hondas are not that way, because of a GIANT aftermarket parts bonanza as they sell millions of car. I too would never buy a mits though. Scotty
scottykilmer 1 year ago
@scottykilmer Would it REALLY be worth looking into a rice burner then? I want to get another car someday, but don't want a "deathbox" nor expensive parts.
RacerE7773 1 year ago
@RacerE7773 Old Toyotas all the way. The cars are tough as nails. Parts are inexpensive and the cars are pretty easy to work on. As long as its in Ok shape, an early to mid 90's Corolla is one of the easiest cars to keep on the road, in running costs and maintenance. Just look at how many you still see on the road today, its crazy.
HamsterRickProductio 1 year ago