Can a ground make an alternator test bad?

Poor ground connections are an often-overlooked cause of low charging output and alternator failure. Check for voltage drops at the positive and negative battery cable connections, the alternator BAT+ power connection and the engine ground strap(s).

Will alternator work if not grounded?

No, you don’t have to connect anything to the “ground” post on the alternator. It gets its ground thru the case and the mounting bracket. As long as the bolts are tight, and brackets/mounts are corroded, it will work fine.

Can a bad ground kill a alternator?

Bad grounds and other wiring issues can eventually kill an Alternator.

Do you ground a 1 wire alternator?

The voltage regulator is internal, and there are no other wires that need to be connected to your electrical system. However, that doesn’t mean that you don’t need to have a solid ground wire connecting the alternator to the engine/chassis. Without a solid ground connection, the alternator may not charge properly.

Can a bad ground cause a battery to drain?

A bad ground would not cause this. This is called a parastic loss. When this happens, it may keep the charging circuit on after the vehicle engine is shut off, which will cause the battery to drain. …

How old is the alternator on my truck?

I never touched it, it’s only 14 months old, it’s a high amp 240amp alt. I don’t know if I messed something up while trying to get my truck started.

What causes an alternator to make a noise?

A bad diode in the alternator will cause noise. The 11.7 volts you stated does not indicate it is charging correctly. anyone know where I can buy this one wire connector plug for the alternator? It has 4 holes in this plug with one of them bigger than the other 3.

Can a belt be too tight for an alternator?

Last edited by Alphatonic on Feb 22 2011, 8:02pm, edited 1 time in total. Belt could be too tight, too. Or alternator could be just a touch misaligned

What should the voltage of an alternator be?

Voltage on a healthy system is 13.6 minimally. Incorrect wiring can affect the alternator quickly. I’d still pull the alt. and have it tested (free) if it were me. Any pic’s of wiring and/or this connector?

What to do if your alternator ground is bad?

If you ever find yourself noticing bad alternator ground symptoms, you should spring into action right away and do something about it. More often than not, this will mean taking your car down to your local auto repair shop so that your mechanic can assess the situation.

What are the symptoms of a bad alternator?

BAD ALTERNATOR SYMPTOMS: 1 Dim lights. The failing alternator symptom most drivers recognize is dim or flickering lights. 2 Service engine light. Another obvious sign is the one your vehicle tries to tell you. 3 Odd noises. 4 Electrical issues. 5 Engine stalling. 6 Dead battery.

Is it a case of your alternator being possessed?

Is this a case of your auto being possessed? No. Most likely it’s one of many possible alternator problems, and without some attention, the alternator can cause car trouble ranging from slow starts all the way up to a dead car.

What does the alt light on an alternator mean?

In most cases the light is shaped like a battery, though some show “ALT” or “GEN,” meaning alternator or generator, respectively. (In some older cars, the alternator is referred to as a generator, which may be helpful to know if you’re looking through the owner’s manual or a shop manual.)