How To Test If An Alternator Is Good Or Bad. And whether youre driving a Ford a Chrysler or a Dodge or a Plymouth a Nissan a Mitsubishi a Volkswagen or whatever this test will work. Before we get into the steps on how to test an alternator Here are some bad alternator symptoms you should look out for.
The engine is running slowly or doesnt even crank at all. The voltage should read a minimum of 13 volts. Let me just point out that this test is not intended to diagnose a.
More sophisticated testing equipment is needed to detect an open or shorted alternator diode Step 2.
In that case you can test the alternator by touching the positive multimeter probe to the positive terminal on your battery and likewise the negative probe to the negative terminal on your battery. Step 1 Check the Alternator Gauge. In some cases both parts may be faulty as a bad battery can reduce an alternators life expectancy and vice versa. Then start the engine and check for increased voltage readings.
