Also you can start the car and pull the positive wire off and if it stays running the alternator is good and if it dies the alternator isn't keeping the charge.
Sometimes it will set off the check engine light.My father had a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup that was this way and an alternator code was setting off the check engine light.
@X9xATIx7X ,And that means WHAT? It means there were a lot of them sold and a lot of them on the road ,because they were very popular ,not because they are not any good.you still see a lot of them on the road.The ones in the junk yards are old ones.
I know this guy is only trying to help and that's a nice thing these days but for pity's sake don't test the alternator with a screwdriver like he did. If you accidentally drop the screwdriver on the alternator drive-belt it could launch it straight through your eye and you won't find a cheap replacement for that on e-bay.
I can always tell by the brightness of the dash lights, they usually get brighter when you start the engine indicating a increase in voltage.
15v is a little high, it should be at about 14.4v. I've never seen it cause problems though, just watch it doesn't go too high or your battery won't last very long.
if i put a 150 amp in place of my 105 amp alt will it kill my battery by over chargeing??? and if so hwo can i fix that? im putting about 520watts of off road lights onto my truck and need a alt that can handle it but those light wont always be on and i dont whant to damage my battery, any tips?
@youdragon The battery will only use what amperage it needs. Running too high of voltage, on the other hand, will boil the fluid in the battery though - as long as the alt is running 14.5 volts or less the battery should be a-ok. Voltage is like "water pressure" and amps are like the volume or "gallons per min." to put it super simple. :-) hope this helps someone even though its an old post
I wouldnt use the screwdriver technique. If you touch the alternator in the wrong place you can fry a diode and have to get it rebuilt. Stick with the multimeter
@NoNy241 or better yet learn how to do voltage drop using a DVOM (digital multi meater/volt meater) You could mess up a computer controled alternator like the ones on all newer cars.
relax pony,jesus its a simple magnetic trick (oldschool) that is harmless to anyone that sports a brain....damn,i forgot ,,,,your right....after watching this up and coming "me" generation become entranced with liberal bullshit taught by the very,oh so very intelligent college pogo sticks...this would be a dangerous effort as it would require a sadly missed display of "COMMONSENSE"...i apologize to butt door frank, pie hole pelosi and every other cocktractor that will be over seeing REAlity
I wouldn't recommend doing that magmatic force unless you want to ground yourself. Always read the manual first and get comfortable before you do anything. Don't assume. Stay away from measuring current if you're not sure. Play safe
Dude, please be careful with your necklace and the battery cables.
Virtualmix 3 weeks ago
You're allowed to separate your teeth.
MattTrevett 2 months ago
Is this Kip from Napolean Dynamite?
Ejosey3 2 months ago
It's not Volt "OM" Meter, so quit saying it.
capncrunchalot 2 months ago
please get a DVOM
ppjwb1 2 months ago
I like the dashboard design.
mindyourowndamnself 2 months ago
Also you can start the car and pull the positive wire off and if it stays running the alternator is good and if it dies the alternator isn't keeping the charge.
lowderjr 4 months ago
Sometimes it will set off the check engine light.My father had a 2004 Dodge Ram pickup that was this way and an alternator code was setting off the check engine light.
wafrederick 6 months ago
i cant get to my alternator
DaBandiiT 6 months ago
i like old technology
tommyAryan 7 months ago
i thought analog meters were outdated and obselete
hotsaucejd 7 months ago
you are going to get hurt some day no jewelry working around heavy or light machinery
66lroct 10 months ago
I knew that was a Ford Taurus just by seeing the motor. I've seen more of those in the junkyard than any other vehicle.
X9xATIx7X 10 months ago
@X9xATIx7X ,And that means WHAT? It means there were a lot of them sold and a lot of them on the road ,because they were very popular ,not because they are not any good.you still see a lot of them on the road.The ones in the junk yards are old ones.
ppjwb1 2 months ago
I know this guy is only trying to help and that's a nice thing these days but for pity's sake don't test the alternator with a screwdriver like he did. If you accidentally drop the screwdriver on the alternator drive-belt it could launch it straight through your eye and you won't find a cheap replacement for that on e-bay.
kaferere 1 year ago
looks like a stolen car that steering colum is pretty jacked up
Chris07860 1 year ago 2
I can always tell by the brightness of the dash lights, they usually get brighter when you start the engine indicating a increase in voltage.
15v is a little high, it should be at about 14.4v. I've never seen it cause problems though, just watch it doesn't go too high or your battery won't last very long.
Nice video, great job!
MyBrilliantChannel 1 year ago
Good info. Thanks for uploading
richdad360 1 year ago
What historical society did you get that multi-meter from?
RobertGary1 1 year ago 38
if i put a 150 amp in place of my 105 amp alt will it kill my battery by over chargeing??? and if so hwo can i fix that? im putting about 520watts of off road lights onto my truck and need a alt that can handle it but those light wont always be on and i dont whant to damage my battery, any tips?
youdragon 1 year ago
@youdragon The battery will only use what amperage it needs. Running too high of voltage, on the other hand, will boil the fluid in the battery though - as long as the alt is running 14.5 volts or less the battery should be a-ok. Voltage is like "water pressure" and amps are like the volume or "gallons per min." to put it super simple. :-) hope this helps someone even though its an old post
mustang633NY 1 year ago
Great Job man
joelin66 1 year ago
I wouldnt use the screwdriver technique. If you touch the alternator in the wrong place you can fry a diode and have to get it rebuilt. Stick with the multimeter
NoNy241 2 years ago
@NoNy241 or better yet learn how to do voltage drop using a DVOM (digital multi meater/volt meater) You could mess up a computer controled alternator like the ones on all newer cars.
mustang633NY 1 year ago
in an alternator that the diodes failed there is still magnetic force. so that test is faulty when dealing with electrical issues.
jamesberkhimer 2 years ago
15V is too high voltage will be higher during a cold engine start. check it when the car is HOT
zillsbury 2 years ago
do it with multimeter its easy
jayguy173 2 years ago
Great ! very useful ! thanks from italy!
domyaska 2 years ago
in my cars manual it says if the light is coming on and the still isn't charging it could be over charging.
zagan1 2 years ago
Before anything else, do yourself a favor. Take off those frkn chain away from your neck before working under the hood. Thanks!
PerryTails 2 years ago 10
@PerryTails With a little bit luck, his chain gets stuck into one of the pully's.. :P
fristi1994 2 months ago
relax pony,jesus its a simple magnetic trick (oldschool) that is harmless to anyone that sports a brain....damn,i forgot ,,,,your right....after watching this up and coming "me" generation become entranced with liberal bullshit taught by the very,oh so very intelligent college pogo sticks...this would be a dangerous effort as it would require a sadly missed display of "COMMONSENSE"...i apologize to butt door frank, pie hole pelosi and every other cocktractor that will be over seeing REAlity
runalonglilone 2 years ago
I wouldn't recommend doing that magmatic force unless you want to ground yourself. Always read the manual first and get comfortable before you do anything. Don't assume. Stay away from measuring current if you're not sure. Play safe
roarpony 2 years ago 2