How to Test an Alternator with a Screwdriver

Won’t your car start in the morning? The battery drains fast when you leave it parked? These could be symptoms of a failing alternator. While this may be a complicated piece of machinery, testing your alternator is relatively uncomplicated and will take only a few essential tools and a little knowledge. See this step-by-step guide for how to test an alternator with a screwdriver. 

 

The alternator is the battery charging device for your car. It creates electricity to charge the battery and power all of your accessories in the vehicle. The alternator needs to be tested periodically because it is an important part of your vehicle’s electrical system. 

 

If you want to know how to test an alternator with a screwdriver, you’ve come to the right place! This fairly simple process can be completed in about 10 minutes. But before we get started, make sure that you have all of the tools and supplies needed for this job.

 

The tools you will need include a screwdriver, and supplies you can need are electrical tape, wire connectors, and some distilled water. 

 

Related Article – How to Test Alternator with Screwdriver

 

How Alternator of vehicle works

 

An alternator is a rotary device that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy, used to produce alternating current (AC) electricity. An alternator is used to power the electrical systems of automobiles, boats, planes, motorhomes, trucks, and trains. 

 

It connects the battery and engine to generate electricity. The alternator is what creates electric power for your vehicle. It increases voltage and gives you a continuous current for your radio, lights, and other accessories in the car. 

 

You may notice a click sound when you turn on your lights, this is your alternator hard at work. It is actually the same mechanism of creating electricity that happens in a dynamo or generator, just smaller. 

 

What happens If Alternator is not Working

 

The alternator is crucial for your vehicle. If it is not working, it could mean a very expensive repair bill. 

 

If your alternator malfunctions, it can cause a variety of problems. If the alternator fails, your battery loses its charge and eventually dies. Your vehicle will no longer start and you will be stranded on the side of the road. This is why it is essential to test your alternator regularly.

 

So, you must be able to test your alternator and save yourself the need for an expensive repair job. 

 

How to test Alternator with Screwdriver

 

Testing Alternator with Screwdriver is a simple process that you can easily do at home. You don’t have to take your vehicle into the mechanics or auto repair shop just yet. The process involves a few steps, but before you start make sure that the car is off and parked on level ground where it won’t roll away. 

 

To test Alternator with Screwdriver you will need to follow simple steps: 

 

Step 1: Insert Key into Ignition

 

The first step is to insert your key into the ignition simply. Don’t start the car up; just insert it into the slot and leave it there. 

 

Step 2: Open your car hood.

 

In order to test the alternator with a screwdriver, you have to open your hood. Find the latch on the underside of the hood and pull it up. This is how you can access your alternator for testing. 

 

Step 3: Find the Alternator of the car

 

The alternator is a large coil-shaped device with a belt attached to it that goes over other engine parts. Depending on your vehicle, you may see additional belts, pulleys, or gears near the alternator as well. The main part of this device is hooked up to a battery through a cable. Ask someone to help you out or get yourself a manual if you can’t find it. 

 

Step 4: Put the screwdriver near the alternator

 

Now that you know where to find your alternator, use your screwdriver to test it. Put the screwdriver near the alternator when your key is in the ignition. 

 

You have to hold the screwdriver close enough that you can touch it, but not so close that you’ll damage any other parts of the engine. 

 

Touch the tip of your screwdriver’s blade to the alternator nuts located near the pulley and you must feel magnetism that attracts the screwdriver. 

 

This means that your alternator is working and you don’t have to worry about it. But if you don’t feel a strong magnetic pull, you might have a problem. 

 

Note: Your car key must be in the “On” position (Dashboard lights up) for this test to work. 

 

Now you should know how the alternator will test with a screwdriver when it is not working and the possible causes of this problem. So, make sure that you take your vehicle to the auto repair shop for maintenance and repairs if you have issues with the alternator. 

 

Common Signs of Alternator Malfunctioning

If you have ever run out of battery in your car, you know how important this component is. The alternator is responsible for charging the battery. However, if it fails to do so, you could face some costly consequences. 

 

If you’re not sure whether your alternator is working, here are six common signs an alternator may be malfunctioning: 

 

1: The headlights, dashboard lights, and other electrical systems start flickering or dimming. 

 

2: The battery is not holding a charge and needs recharging more often than usual. 

 

3: The engine often “bogs down” as if it is not getting enough power. 

 

4: The air conditioner malfunctions or blows at much less than maximum. 

 

5: The vehicle sometimes stalls or makes unusual noises such as a clicking, whirring, or humming sound when the engine is running. 

 

6: The battery light will come on and stay on in the dash of a vehicle with an alternator that is not working well. 

 

If you’re experiencing one or more of these signs, it’s time to get a professional opinion before the alternator completely fails. 

 

Conclusion!

 

We hope that you find this article very useful and that it helped you to solve your problem with the alternator. As mentioned above, there are a few other ways to test your alternator and you can ask your mechanic to check them. But using this simple process will give you a pretty good idea of whether or not your alternator is working properly. 

 

We hope that you find this article handy and that it helped you to solve your problem with the alternator if there is any question about the alternator or you want to share your experience with us then please comment below. 

 

If you like this article, then please don’t forget to share. Good Luck.

 

Also Read: How to Test Alternator by Disconnecting Battery