Posts Tagged: safe way to test an alternator

The safe way to test an alternator

How to test an alternator the safe way Disconnecting a battery cable while a car is running to test an alternator can damage your car’s computers and computerized controls. You could do that on non-computerized cars, but not on any car since the early ’80’s. Your car battery filters out voltage spikes Your car’s battery acts like a large capacitor to absorb voltage spikes. For example, any time an electric motor shuts down, there’s a large voltage spike caused by the magnetic field collapse. So there’s a spike when you … Read More