How to Troubleshoot an Alternator Problem

[jorgeukmusic]

Awsome! This is a 5 star video!!!! 100% good

[MrTarkus007]

hey eric i really like your video's i find that you do a great job on explaining the how to's your very thorough keep up the great work .thanks on behalf of everybody ...

[bbbindustries]

Thanks, @MrTarkus007. The folks at BBB Industries deserve some love too!

[engrumarkhan]

Thanks Man. Surely worth watching.

I am driving Lumina LS 2007 (Chevy) and I am having intermittent Alternator alarm. I recently replace the batter when this symptom started.

Any suggestions?

Thanking in anticipation!

[bbbindustries]

@engrumarkhan - Intermittent charging problems can be a real pain. I would like to look at TSB's and such for your vehicle. Unfortunately all of my information indicates that there were no Luminas built in 2007. Please verify application information and I will be glad to follow up.

[engrumarkhan]

@bbbindustries Thanks for you feedback. I replaced the Alternator and Alarms is gone :)

[bbbindustries]

Great news, @engrumarkhan! If only you had purchased a BBB alternator... "OE Quality - Aftermarket Price". Maybe next time.

[kfoxm]

@engrumarkhan i'm having the same problem dude with the same car !!!

[engrumarkhan]

@kfoxm : I replaced the Alternator with Genuine one from GM and alarm is gone :)

[kfoxm]

@engrumarkhan yea me 2 but i brought used one

it's better than the GM all the mechanics said that

even the one who sailing it in GM told me that

[engrumarkhan]

@kfoxm I tried used one but result was same. So end up buying new one. LUMINA maintenance is expensive but car is awesome.. Truly amazing.. specially long drives...Here in Saudi fuel is very cheap so m really enjoying it...

[50MOLE]

Well told thankyou

[bbbindustries]

Thanks for watching, @50MOLE.

[MrTombbb]

tubbed

The 1989 Suburbans with only one wire in the voltage regulator plug will most likely be to the dash alternator light. To test for proper input to this terminal:

1. Unplug regulator plug at alternator.

2. Turn key to the run possition (you do not have to start the engine).

3. Test for voltage at the wire in the regulator plug.

You should read 12 volts at this terminal. If the voltage is present you likely have a bad alternator. Most part stores can bench test the alternator for you.

[tubbed450r]

hello, i have a question about my 1989 chevy suburban im definitely having charging issues.... alt. tested good problem is i removed the ecu when i switched it over to carb. and its an internally reg. alt. is there a cure for this? the voltage regulator has one pink wire with a black stripe that goes into the cab looks like into the fuse block? not sure what to do maybe you have some helpful knowledge? also great video i grabbed a good amount of knowledge from it!!!!!

[bbbindustries]

Thanks for the encouraging words, @madasacutsnake1. On many cars and light trucks, the rear defogger draws a large amount of amperage - enough to seriously skew the results of the tets discussed in the video. In fact, many alternators have outputs dedicated exclusively to the rear defogger. Testing without the rear defogger on will not affect the test results enough to make much of a difference in the results.

[madasacutsnake1]

Brilliant video. Well done.

I may have missed it but why not switch on the rear demister?

[bbbindustries]

Great tip, @theewz! Thanks for sharing.

[theewz]

If there is corrosion as far as the battery terminal goes, I use sand paper and wrap it around the terminal then twist. Nice and clean in a minute or so and most people can get sand paper easily.

[MrTee448]

This video is great!

Videos on how to do R&Rs are a dime a dozen but videos that actually show you how to diagnose the problem are rare - especially when it's electrical related.

[bbbindustries]

@MrTee448 ,

Thanks for the kind words. Don't forget to subscrtibe to our channel and check out some of our other R&R videos.

[666apaulo]

HEY ERIC IM WODERING WHY U NEVER TOLD THE KIDS HOW TO CHECK AMPERAGE OUTPUT OF THE ALT WHICH IS THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF THE ALTERATOR.CHECKING VOLTAGE AT THE ALT CAN GIVE U A FALSE DIAGNOSIS AMPERAGE IS WHAT U SHOULD BE CHECKING WHEN DOING A ALTERNAOR DIAGNOSIS...OR AM I WRONG?

[bbbindustries]

@666apaulo,

You are correct that amperage is a very good indicator of the alternator's ability to charge. However, this video utilizes the meters an average person should have available to test the system. Most people do not own an amp meter that is capable of testing 100+ amps, so we decided to show the tests using an affordable and easily obtainable DVOM. We feel confident that with a fully charged battery, the tests outlined in the video will indicate if the alternator is good or bad.

[ocosme1]

great simple presentation. Got a problem, bought a rebuilt ACDelco alternator for my VW-Jerta-VR6 and when starting the engine the dash-board battery warning light won`t turn-off until I ramp-up engine rpm over 2,000. Only happens when starting the engine. Do I have a problem on sel-excitation or other?

thanks for your help!

[bbbindustries]

@ocosme1,

Thank you for your post. It sounds like an indicator lamp circuit problem. If you can post the year and engine liter size of your Jetta, we will be glad to check the schematic and elaborate further.

[ocosme1]

great simple presentation. Got a problem, bought a rebuilt ACDelco alternator for my VW-Jerta-VR6 and when starting the engine the dash-board battery warning light won`t turn-off until I ramp-up engine rpm over 2,000. Only happens when starting the engine. Do I have a problem on sel-excitation or other?

thanks for your help!

[ocosme1]

great simple presentation. Got a problem, bought a rebuilt ACDelco alternator for my VW-Jerta-VR6 and when starting the engine the dash-board battery warning light won`t turn-off until I ramp-up engine rpm over 2,000. Only happens when starting the engine. Do I have a problem on sel-excitation or other?

thanks for your help!

[MrTombbb]

@Shakeitupyes ,

The alternator output (voltage) was tested at the battery terminals. For positive voltage drop test we tested from the alternators battery + post to the batteries B+ (positive) post. For negative voltage drop test we tested from the alternators case (ground) to the batteries B- (negative) post.

[MrTombbb]

Shakeitupyes,

I'm glad I could be of assistance.

[lorenzobill]

Simple to understand and informative

[bbbindustries]

Thanks, hubassemblycom. We're glad you found it useful!

[hubassemblycom]

Great stuff