Does the voltage regulator control the alternator?
The alternator is a generator that produces Alternating Current (AC), similar to the electrical current in your home. A VOLTAGE REGULATOR regulates the charging voltage that the alternator produces, keeping it between 13.5 and 14.5 volts to protect the electrical components throughout the vehicle.
How do I know if I need a battery or alternator with a multimeter?
Place the red lead of the voltmeter to the positive battery terminal and the black lead to the negative terminal. Avoid touching your skin to the battery. Read the voltmeter. If the battery reads above 12.2 volts, it has enough juice to start the alternator, which can then be tested with the voltmeter.
What happens when your voltage regulator goes out?
A damaged or failed voltage regulator can rapidly diminish the alternator’s ability to cycle power from the battery. This may cause the vehicle to experience dimming or pulsating external systems, such as headlights and dashboard elements.
Where do you put the jumper cable on a bad alternator?
The other red cable on the opposite end of the jumper cables should go to the positive terminal of the other car with the good battery. The negative (black) cable should go to the negative terminal of the good battery. Place the negative cable of the car with the bad alternator on the engine.
What causes an alternator to go over base voltage?
If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty. Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.
What happens when the diodes in an alternator go bad?
Alternators use diodes to rectify alternating current produced by the alternator into direct current. When one or more diodes go bad, the alternator can cause all kinds of problems. AC voltage leak can cause your lights to dim and drain power from your battery, for example.
Is the alternator at the heart of the charging system?
Dan Ferrell writes about do-it-yourself car maintenance and repair. He has certifications in automation and control technology. The alternator is at the heart of the charging system of your vehicle. Alternator problems and charging system problems can affect your vehicle in different ways.