alternator testing ?

m92_MX3 · Post by **m92_MX3** » February 15th, 2006, 2:29 pm

how do you test an alternator ?

Post by **Custommx3** » February 15th, 2006, 2:39 pm

take your car to Autozone, or a car parts place. Alot of them have a machine they can connect to it to test it.

95 rs · Post by **95 rs** » February 15th, 2006, 8:24 pm

get a multimeter and put the connections on to the batter and it should read about 14-14.5 volts

Devilhog · Post by **Devilhog** » February 15th, 2006, 10:18 pm

The battery test just shows that it is charging the battery. It doesnt show if the altenator can keep up with electrical load. I can allready tell from my lights dimming every time I brake that my alt is hooped but yet it still charges the battery.

nicksmx3 · Post by **nicksmx3** » February 16th, 2006, 6:11 pm

autozone'll do it for free

mr1in6billion · Post by **mr1in6billion** » February 17th, 2006, 4:36 am

Slightly on/off topic:

If I was interested in purchasing a new alternator, preforably one with a much higher output, where should I look, and for what car would it be listed under?

Devilhog · Post by **Devilhog** » February 17th, 2006, 6:54 am

Dont look to far, order yourself a GS alternator, a couple of the GS alternator mounting bolts and get your mechanic to swap your RS Alt pully with the GS pully. Waam Baam Thank you maam

Thats what im doing in a month or so.

Buy brand spanking new. No rebuilts or used.

PATDIESEL · Post by **PATDIESEL** » February 17th, 2006, 10:38 am

There is an easier way to test an alternator. Crank the car and pull the positive battery cable. If the car stays running then the alt is fine. Be careful when you pull the cable though. You need to pull it off quickly so tha it doesn't ark much (and it will ark some no matter how fast you pull it).

As for the dimming lights, that is the power regulator. It is a part of the alt, but all MX-3s do it, so it doesn't mean your alt is bad or going out. You can help the dimming lights by getting a ground wire kit or a secondary power regulator.

mr1in6billion · Post by **mr1in6billion** » February 17th, 2006, 2:42 pm

Devilhog wrote:Order yourself a GS alternator and a couple of the GS alternator mounting bolts.

Where would I order it from?

m92_MX3 · Post by **m92_MX3** » February 22nd, 2006, 5:21 pm

can you bench test them ?