Gen 2 alternator test/replacement
Posted: Wed Aug 02, 2017 8:18 pm
Hi there, I'm trying to figure out if I need a new alternator and if so, where to get one.
My car is a gen 2 so I would rather go with an older alternator since the new ones are over $600 (or so I've been told). So first question: how can I test the alternator to see if it's working properly? I used a multimeter on the battery terminals (initially read about 12.2 volts) then revved the engine up around 5,000rpm to see what would happen. Voltage actually dropped to 12.16 volts. Not sure if that test can accurately predict condition of the alternator.
So 2nd question: if my alternator is bad, where to get a new one? What am I looking for? Some old Ford alternator? Also, does anyone have replacement instructions by chance? I guess it should be fairly simple and straight forward but I've never replaced an alternator so some help would be much appreciated!
Thank you!
My car is a gen 2 so I would rather go with an older alternator since the new ones are over $600 (or so I've been told). So first question: how can I test the alternator to see if it's working properly? I used a multimeter on the battery terminals (initially read about 12.2 volts) then revved the engine up around 5,000rpm to see what would happen. Voltage actually dropped to 12.16 volts. Not sure if that test can accurately predict condition of the alternator.
So 2nd question: if my alternator is bad, where to get a new one? What am I looking for? Some old Ford alternator? Also, does anyone have replacement instructions by chance? I guess it should be fairly simple and straight forward but I've never replaced an alternator so some help would be much appreciated!
Thank you!