alternator trouble or not? - Car Troubleshooting


	Auto Repair Home	SEARCH POSTS	WHO'S ONLINE	LOG IN

Automotive Repair

Car Troubleshooting Topics
  Car Troubleshooting
  Engine Troubleshooting
  Engine Fault Codes
  Electrical and Wiring
  Transmission Problems

Car Repair Topics
  Car Making Noises
  Car Stereo Repair
  Heating or AC Issues
  Motorcycles and ATVs
  Tricks of the Trade
  Truck Repair Advice

Site Options:
  Login
  Sign up here!

Latest Forum Post

1989 toyota pickup 3.0 crank no start

I have a 1989 toyota pickup 3.0 crank no...

Strut spring orientation and strut mount tension nut

2017 Nissan rogue awd 2.5 L Put in Monro...

Transmission stuck in part, I have tried everything

So I'm working on my elderly fathers 201...

2017 dodge journey LED headlights on/off randomly

Year of vehicle 2017 Make of vehicle dod...

Kia Soul starter replacement issues!

Okay so my car is a 2010 Kia soul 2.0 en...

Please Help - Knock sound & engine fail

Hi all, Hoping to get some insight and ...

multiple warning lights

2013 GMC Terrain 130,000 miles 4 cylinde...

03 alero no low speed blower

Good day everyone, I have a 2003 Olds a...

04 Chevy 2500hd tail light issues

Help!!! I have changed my combo switch...

1999 Grand Caravan Sport not starting.

Hi. I'm new here. I hope someone can hel...

alternator trouble or not?

Sign up here!

Search for (search options)

Auto Repair Home>> Automotive Repair>> Car Troubleshooting

billp59
New User

Oct 2, 2013, 12:07 PM

Post #1 of 5 (1686 views)

alternator trouble or not?	Sign In

Hey I have a 2004 dodge stratus and I am trying to find out if I have an alternator problem. I did the start up and test by pulling the battery cable but it stayed running for about 30 seconds and then cut off. I still think it is the alternator but the other person thinks the car would have died immediately and not run for another half a minute so he thinks it is a bad connection somewhere. What are your thoughts?

Discretesignals
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Discretesignals profile image

Oct 2, 2013, 12:13 PM

Post #2 of 5 (1681 views)

Re: alternator trouble or not?	Sign In

Quote

I did the start up and test by pulling the battery cable but it stayed running for about 30 seconds and then cut off.

That is no longer a valid test. Reason? Because you can send a voltage spike into the electrical system. What does a voltage spike do? It damages electronic solid state components. These components are usually found on circuit boards inside things such as computer modules that cost lots of money.

If you want to test the charging system, use a volt meter. Connect it to the battery or the output lug on the alternator. It will save you a lot of money unless you like taking the chance of frying stuff by disconnecting your battery cables with the engine running.

Since we volunteer our time and knowledge, we ask for you to please follow up when a problem is resolved.

(This post was edited by Discretesignals on Oct 2, 2013, 12:50 PM)

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 2, 2013, 12:51 PM

Post #3 of 5 (1672 views)

Re: alternator trouble or not?	Sign In

Didn't that trick go out with the Harry S Truman administration?

T

Hammer Time
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Hammer Time profile image

Oct 2, 2013, 12:54 PM

Post #4 of 5 (1667 views)

Re: alternator trouble or not?	Sign In

Let him go. We sell more computers that way.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

We offer help in answering questions, clarifying things or giving advice but we are not a substitute for an on-site inspection by a professional.

Tom Greenleaf
Ultimate Carjunky / Moderator
Tom Greenleaf profile image

Oct 2, 2013, 1:10 PM

Post #5 of 5 (1664 views)

Re: alternator trouble or not?	Sign In

If that wasn't so true it would be funny! Oh boy,

T

Search for (options) Privacy Sitemap