Hi Marty
Definitely an alternator... generators went out in the 60's, but the
term has lived on.
Easy thing to check - are the battery terminals tight and clean?
Easy way to test the alternator on any car...
- check battery voltage with the key off - should be 12v
- watch battery voltage while you start the car. anything below 10v,
the battery is low on charge or getting worn out.
- once the motor is running, voltage should be 13? to 14? volts -
varies a bit from car to car. Should not drop when you turn on
lights, heater fan (assuming rpm is 1,000 or more).
- also, check the alternator belt. Is it tight and clean? I have
seen oily belts slip so that the alternator doesn't spin enough to charge.
Side note: If you are doing this on a Honda - turn on the lights.
They have a timer that waits 60 seconds or until an electrical load is
turned on before switching on the field coil to the alternator (which
makes it charge). Looks like the alternator is dead when actually
there is nothing wrong.
Ian Mothersill
93 EV Weekender 5sp
Vancouver, Canada
--- In ev_update@..., "Martin Rowley" <martinrowley@...>
wrote:
Hey group I have a question. My "generator warning light" came on
today. Does the 2002 EV have an alternator or generator? I replaced
the main battery about 2 weeks ago and have not driven much. Now
engine would not turnover so I am charging the battery now. How do I
check to see if the alternator is working? Marty 2002EVWK
