Tag: alternators

22 Posts

Night Driving without Lights Isn't Very Bright
Jun 19, 2018

Night Driving without Lights Isn't Very Bright

Dear Car Talk

A reader enlists Ray's help in ending neighbor's dangerous behavior.

headlights alternators safety

do i need to surrender a faulty part to get a mechanic to replace it
Jul 12, 2016

Who Keeps That Faulty Part?

Dear Car Talk

Ellen's new alternator left her stranded 90 miles away from the shop. The mechanic wants it back before he'll refund her money. Is this common?

alternators repairs Honda Odyssey 2002

Does car cigarette lighter damage battery
Apr 01, 2010

Could car cigarette lighters be an alternate energy source?

Dear Car Talk

Oftentimes, I charge my mobile phone or iPod using the cigarette lighter in my car. Does that do any damage to the battery, like limit its life span? If so, should I stop? If not, shouldn't everyone be charging their...

alternative energy batteries alternators

Nov 01, 2009

How to tell the difference between a bad battery and a bad alternator.

Dear Car Talk

How does one tell the difference between a bad battery and a bad alternator? My car will not crank, but has some power (the dome lights, panel lights and power locks work). I've had it on a trickle charge for...

alternators starters batteries

if a car is already started does it need a battery
Oct 01, 2005

Can a car run without its battery?

Dear Car Talk

Could you please settle an argument? Some of my ham radio friends and I have a disagreement about the ability of a vehicle to operate without a battery. I say that a vehicle will stop immediately if you disconnect the...

batteries alternators

why is my relatively new battery getting corroded so quickly
Jun 01, 2005

Why's this Chevy burning through batteries?

Dear Car Talk

I'm anxious to ask you guys a car question that has stumped the Chevy dealer.

batteries alternators

could testing the car alternator by removing a battery cable cause electrical damage
Apr 01, 2003

Best way to safely test an alternator.

Dear Car Talk

To do a quick check on an alternator I was told that you could start the car and then remove the negative battery cable Doing this would allow you to check whether the alternator is putting out enough current to...

alternators diagnostics DIY

May 01, 2001

Does an alternator produce more electricity than a car needs or only what is demanded?

Dear Car Talk

Does a car's alternator always produce more electricity than the car and its accessories can ever use Or does the alternator produce only as much electricity as the car demands In other words if I open and close the electric...

alternators

Feb 01, 2000

What could cause my Geo to blow three alternators in 13 months?

Dear Car Talk

I own a Geo Prizm LSi with air conditioning I have put in three alternators in the past months Is there anything you know of that would cause them to keep blowing -- Steve RAY There are two things I...

belts alternators

Jul 01, 1999

Are rebuilt alternators just as good as manufacturer supplied alternators?

Dear Car Talk

I have a white ' Toyota Corolla which I purchased used in When I bought it there were miles on the odometer Less than six months later it needed a new alternator I took it to my favorite mechanics not...

alternators belts auto parts