Voltage

mrnickleye · 02-01-2006, 01:26 AM

I would not do the above mentioned 'test' of the alternator. These cars, and most on the road nowadays, have computers. The computers run on 5 volts. A voltage 'spike' can occur if you remove the battery cable while the engine is running. This can 'fry' a circuit in the computer, or weaken it, which may give out while driving. Then you'll have another problem to fix, and it won't be cheap.

Get a volt meter, from radio shack or similar store. You can use it to test the battery voltage, and many other wiring and circuits. It will be a valuable tool to have around. I have 2.

02-01-2006, 01:26 AM	#5
mrnickleye 1000whp postwhore Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Mojave Desert, Calif. Posts: 1,705	I would not do the above mentioned 'test' of the alternator. These cars, and most on the road nowadays, have computers. The computers run on 5 volts. A voltage 'spike' can occur if you remove the battery cable while the engine is running. This can 'fry' a circuit in the computer, or weaken it, which may give out while driving. Then you'll have another problem to fix, and it won't be cheap. Get a volt meter, from radio shack or similar store. You can use it to test the battery voltage, and many other wiring and circuits. It will be a valuable tool to have around. I have 2. __________________ Had a Red 1989 N/A. Automatic. Sports Pkg. w/wing. TEMS, and some nice MODS. Sold to a friend 10/08/08.