2000 Toyota Avalon Logo
j
jeff Posted on Apr 10, 2014
Answered by a Fixya Expert

Trustworthy Expert Solutions

At Fixya.com, our trusted experts are meticulously vetted and possess extensive experience in their respective fields. Backed by a community of knowledgeable professionals, our platform ensures that the solutions provided are thoroughly researched and validated.

View Our Top Experts

Alternator problem how do I know if my alternator is bad?

1 Answer

montehammons

Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

  • Toyota Master 5,531 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 10, 2014
montehammons
Toyota Master
Level 3:

An expert who has achieved level 3 by getting 1000 points

Superstar:

An expert that got 20 achievements.

All-Star:

An expert that got 10 achievements.

MVP:

An expert that got 5 achievements.

Joined: Sep 14, 2011
Answers
5531
Questions
2
Helped
1645388
Points
17401

Easy way to check with a voltmeter. Check battery voltage on the battery terminals with key off, engine off, and then check voltage with engine running.
Engine off, a good battery should have voltage between 12.6 volts and 12.9 volts. With engine running, battery voltage should be a minimum of 13.5 volts, somewhere between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. This would indicate the alternator is good and is charging the battery. If voltage is less than 13.5 volts, if it only shows same volts as when not running, the alternator is not working right. Take it off and have tested for free at a parts store. It could be a bad alternator or it could be that the wiring between alternator and battery has a problem. If alternator tests good, start looking into the connections between alternator and battery.
Does your battery or alternator light stay on when engine is running? This would indicate a charging system problem. Time for the voltmeter test.

Add Your Answer

×

Uploading: 0%

my-video-file.mp4

Complete. Click "Add" to insert your video. Add

×

Loading...
Loading...

Related Questions:

0helpful
1answer

P0725 code, Bad alternator, and bad battery.

no info generic answer code is a speed sensor problem ---if having problems with battery--alternator have them tested ------https://www.obd-codes.com/p0725
1helpful
1answer

Battery drain

A couple things could be happening. First the battery may have a bad cable or dirty cable connection or the alternator be bad. To test the alternator start it and then remove the positive cable and if it continues to run the alternator is good. If it does then get the alternator checked. Hope this helps.
0helpful
1answer

How do you know if alternator is bad on a 2006 hyndai sonata v6

Using a volt meter check the voltage at the battery with the vehicle running. There should be more than 13.5 volts. If it is more like 12 volts or less that the alternator is not working or there is an open between the alt and the battery. The most common cause of the battery light is a bad alternator.

I’m happy to assist further over the phone at https://www.6ya.com/expert/jeremy_d728a59f986299fa

0helpful
1answer

Alternator in my 4 cyl Hyundai Sonata has new alternator and when put back on alterator check is still says it's bad, could it be relay?

try this! start vehicle, while it is running remove the negative cable from battery. if it stays running the alternator is good. make sure battery connections are clean and tight. if checking alternator at battery, and you know its charging. then it has to be a short in wire from the alt. if the engine dies when testing as above. its either a bad alt, or a bad wire. or bad ground. good-day!
4helpful
3answers

2001 Sebring. Dies immediately after removing jumper cables. Died while driving and no power at all unless on the cables. Alternator or other computer problem???

If you have everything electrical shut off? You should be able to run it without the battery with the charge from the Alternator. Your alternator is bad. replace it. That is a test that mechanics do to test an alternator. They try a fully charged battery to start the car then remove the positive terminal it should continue running. If it doesn't? You know you have a bad connection on the alternator or a bad alternator.
Please leave a great comment for me. On here.
0helpful
1answer

Alternator How do I know if my low battery

first of all, check to see if you have at least 14 volts when running. check at battery, this is the alternator voltage. with car off you should get at least 13 volts at battery. if battery is below 13 volts.after this test then battery is bad. if running and you get less then 14 to 14.3 then it is the alterrnator that is bad. make sure everything is off!
0helpful
2answers

WILL THE WATER PUMP RUN IF ALTERNATOR IS BAD?

mechanical water pump? is your alternator still on the car? belts still intact?

yes
2helpful
3answers

How do i know if the alternator belt or alternator is bad

You are referring to the Serpentine Belt. you can check that simply by pressing down on the belt between two pulleys, if you can press the belt down more than a half in, the belt is stretched and needs replacing. also check the edges of the belt for cracking, that will also need replacement.

As for the Alternator, start the car. If the car dies within a few minutes, its bad. You can also take just a standard Volt meter while the car is running, and attach the volt meter to the battery. If you get anything less than 12-15 volts the alternator is not functioning properly and needs attention.

PS When using the Volt Meter, make sure its on DC setting and set it to the 20 volt setting,
0helpful
2answers

Battery will not hold a charge.

check the big fuse for the alternator in the fuse box under the hood
4helpful
2answers

Bad wiring to alternator

I need more information please, bad wiring... not enough will need to know more, such as, The wires to the alternator are bad, previous owner did a bad wiring job to the alternator, or i messed up the wiring to the alternator and need some advice.
Not finding what you are looking for?

262 views

Ask a Question

Usually answered in minutes!

Top Toyota Experts

ZJ Limited
ZJ Limited

Level 3 Expert

17989 Answers

Thomas Perkins
Thomas Perkins

Level 3 Expert

15088 Answers

ROBERT GARCIA
ROBERT GARCIA

Level 3 Expert

926 Answers

Are you a Toyota Expert? Answer questions, earn points and help others

Answer questions

Manuals & User Guides

Loading...