excitor wire or alternator?

white99ta · 08-13-2012, 03:06 PM

can you test a exciter wire with a test light? I had a multimeter but cant find it now. Id hate to go get a new alternator if it turns out to be a wire problem. could it be an alternator if its pretty new?

BigdaddyDupree · 08-13-2012, 03:21 PM

EVEN new babies die

Zacharyx · 08-13-2012, 03:21 PM

yes you can test the exciter wire ( it should be hot with key on)
most parts stores can test the alternator and let you know if it is bad

TurboWS6 · 08-13-2012, 05:22 PM

Yes you can use a multimeter set the range to DC should be 0-20V touch the black lead a ground touch the red lead to the exciter wire, multimeter should indicate+12Vish. Provided you have power at the wire test it to the battery first to verify the multimeter is working right.

white99ta · 08-13-2012, 08:41 PM

I found my multimeter and measured the volts at the exciter wire it was at 6.6 volts but it was low because the battery was low. So after i re did the wire i took out the alternator and brought it up to autozone and had them test it and it failed every test. I got the last one 6 months ago and i got the warranty. I walked in and walked out with out spending any money. I put the alternator in and now everything is running good again. I thought it was the exciter wire because ive had problems with it before.thanks for the help.

TurboWS6 · 08-13-2012, 08:48 PM

Good to hear. I bought one from advance in December and had to replace it 2 months ago only 1K miles on it, warranty covered it. Only mines a lot easier to get to now since its relocated.

Ken · 08-14-2012, 02:54 AM

Auto Zone can test an alternator out of the car?

white99ta · 08-14-2012, 04:40 AM

Yes sir.

Zacharyx · 08-14-2012, 05:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken

Auto Zone can test an alternator out of the car?

where have you been?

Ken · 08-15-2012, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zacharyx

where have you been?

In a cave.

I knew they could test components installed, I've had it done. But I didn't know they had the setup to test the alternator alone...This is good because I can take them this;

MARTYROBBINS · 08-15-2012, 08:19 AM

needs the pulley before they can test it

04ctd · 08-15-2012, 08:49 AM

make sure you tell them what setup it is

they have a drawer FULL of pigtails, and can NEVER seem to find the right one.

might have to ask a few of them before one of them understands how to test a one wire set up.

08-13-2012, 03:06 PM	#1
white99ta Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beaufort/ Goose Creek Posts: 325	excitor wire or alternator? can you test a exciter wire with a test light? I had a multimeter but cant find it now. Id hate to go get a new alternator if it turns out to be a wire problem. could it be an alternator if its pretty new?

08-13-2012, 03:21 PM	#2
BigdaddyDupree Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: MACEDONIA Posts: 4,967	EVEN new babies die __________________ . What you wanna do?

08-13-2012, 03:21 PM	#3
Zacharyx Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Savannah GA Posts: 330	yes you can test the exciter wire ( it should be hot with key on) most parts stores can test the alternator and let you know if it is bad __________________ Educatio est omnium efficacissima forma rebellionis "And the dynos rumbled, and God spoke 'Take thine turbo, install it upon thine car, and destroy the many ricers!' Moderato est figmentum

08-13-2012, 05:22 PM	#4
TurboWS6 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Rockingham, NC Posts: 799	Yes you can use a multimeter set the range to DC should be 0-20V touch the black lead a ground touch the red lead to the exciter wire, multimeter should indicate+12Vish. Provided you have power at the wire test it to the battery first to verify the multimeter is working right. __________________ [IMG][/IMG] 1999 WS6, 6.0L, S480, TH400, Dana 60 1967 GTO 496" Poncho stroker, 4 speed, 4:11s 2007 Hemi Ram 2013 Grand Caravan RT 1997 Civic Last edited by TurboWS6; 08-13-2012 at 08:46 PM.

08-13-2012, 08:48 PM	#6
TurboWS6 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Rockingham, NC Posts: 799	Good to hear. I bought one from advance in December and had to replace it 2 months ago only 1K miles on it, warranty covered it. Only mines a lot easier to get to now since its relocated. __________________ [IMG][/IMG] 1999 WS6, 6.0L, S480, TH400, Dana 60 1967 GTO 496" Poncho stroker, 4 speed, 4:11s 2007 Hemi Ram 2013 Grand Caravan RT 1997 Civic

08-13-2012, 08:41 PM	#5
white99ta Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beaufort/ Goose Creek Posts: 325	I found my multimeter and measured the volts at the exciter wire it was at 6.6 volts but it was low because the battery was low. So after i re did the wire i took out the alternator and brought it up to autozone and had them test it and it failed every test. I got the last one 6 months ago and i got the warranty. I walked in and walked out with out spending any money. I put the alternator in and now everything is running good again. I thought it was the exciter wire because ive had problems with it before.thanks for the help.

08-14-2012, 02:54 AM	#7
Ken Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: West Ashley Posts: 120	Auto Zone can test an alternator out of the car?

08-14-2012, 04:40 AM	#8
white99ta Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Beaufort/ Goose Creek Posts: 325	Yes sir.

08-15-2012, 08:19 AM	#11
MARTYROBBINS Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: NORTH CHARLESTON Posts: 593	needs the pulley before they can test it

08-15-2012, 08:49 AM	#12
04ctd Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Ladson SC Posts: 4,388	make sure you tell them what setup it is they have a drawer FULL of pigtails, and can NEVER seem to find the right one. might have to ask a few of them before one of them understands how to test a one wire set up. __________________ 1 Timothy 3:16 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the Spirit, Seen by angels, Preached among the Gentiles, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

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