How many volts are in a battery when a car is running that has a good alternator?

A good alternator should put out between **13.5-14.5 volts. Stress test the alternator – Place a load on the alternator by turning on the headlights, the radio and the air conditioning. The voltage should remain high with these circuits on.

Why does my Camaro say battery saver active?

If you are getting a “battery saver active” message, it means that your Camaro’s electrical system voltage has dropped to a critical level (less than 11.7 volts). The battery saver increases the driving range of your Camaro when the system is not properly charging.

Is there a problem with my alternator and battery?

Check the two fusible links in picture they should have battery voltage both sides. The problem may be the PCM but lets run some tests first. Check out the diagrams (Below). Please let us know what you find.

What should the resistance be for an alternator?

If all this checks out then I suspect you have a wiring issue. I would perform either a voltage drop or resistance measurement of each of the wires from the PCM to the alternator. Also, through the fusible link from the battery to the alternator. You should have less then a half ohm of resistance.

Can a generator be replaced with an alternator?

It appears your system has an alternator which means it is a PCM controller voltage regulator. Generators are the ones with internal voltage regulators and are replaced with the generator. Take a look at the attachments but Navigators with this issue usually have a failed regulator in the PCM. Let me know if you have questions.

Why does my alternator light go off when I raise the RPM?

Then if this light is going off when you raise the RPM then that means by spinning the alternator faster to increase the output puts the voltage over the minimum spec to turn the light off. If all this checks out then I suspect you have a wiring issue.

Is the alternator the only thing that powers the car?

Many people assume that the car’s battery is the only thing that powers all electrical components in the car. But, this is not true. The alternator plays a vital role in supplying power to the car’s AC, recharging the battery and ignition.

Can a bad car battery cause an alternator to not charge?

In theory a car can run only with the alternator charge, but this can cause heavy voltage spikes and other strange symptoms so this means that a bad car battery can cause an alternator to not charge also. Cars are increasingly coming with modern electronics.

Is the battery voltage on both sides of the alternator?

If you clear the codes and the warning comes back lets make sure the fusible links have power on both sides. Here is a guide and the alternator wiring diagrams to help you test and see how the system works. Check the two fusible links in picture they should have battery voltage both sides. The problem may be the PCM but lets run some tests first.

What should I do if my alternator is not working?

The solution is to check your car’s manual for the particular fuse that controls the alternator and replace it. In some cars, you might also find another small fuse to the alternator’s control—usually a 15A to 20A fuse. An alternator does usually has 3 or 4 wires to it to function properly.