I have a 90 hatch DX and I was wondering if there is any way to test the alternator while it's in the car? The car has no brakes, so I can't take it to Autozone. Thanks for the help.

 

Unfortunately the best things to do is remove it and take it in to a parts place.

 

i believe you can simply start your car up.....disconnect the negative battery terminal, and if the car dies, then you have a problem with your alternator.

 

the PROPER way to test the alternator is to measure the voltage at the top of the alternator (under the rubber cap) and ground (any body part). it MUST read about 14.4-14.6V to be working properly.

it should not be 13.2 or 16.0. both of which will fail the disconnecting battery test (giving a false positive)...

that disconnecting battery test really doesnt tell you anytihng you shouldnt already know. you need to also test the voltage across the battery to properly confirm the alternator is the charging problem culprit.

 

Why test it, get a used alternator from the Junkyard..OEM..for like $20 go to a Honda and get alternator brushes for it, and your set....as long as you know how to install them which is pretty straight forward.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kryogen &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why test it, get a used alternator from the Junkyard..OEM..for like $20 go to a Honda and get alternator brushes for it, and your set....as long as you know how to install them which is pretty straight forward.</TD></TR></TABLE>
are u seriously saying that ud rather spend more time and money going to a junkyard and buying one that u dont even know is good then to just test the current one...whats the logic behind that

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Kryogen &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Why test it, get a used alternator from the Junkyard..OEM..for like $20 go to a Honda and get alternator brushes for it, and your set....as long as you know how to install them which is pretty straight forward.</TD></TR></TABLE>

and what about the built-in IC regulator???

Tyson & Suck my DX

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Suck my DX &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">are u seriously saying that ud rather spend more time and money going to a junkyard and buying one that u dont even know is good then to just test the current one...whats the logic behind that</TD></TR></TABLE>

I'm stumped by the logic in that one too.

 

well maybe not go to the junkyard,

but the Brushes for it are like $15, takes 10 mins to install and usually when the alt. starts not putting out Volt, its USUALLY the Brushes, but people do not think about it and go to local parts store and buy a POS alternator for 70-150 bux, and have come out only slightly better than they were to begin with and out of a whole lot more money.

 

ive actually tried to find a place that sell rebuild brushes for my crx alternator. nobody seems to sell em individually anymore, other than bulk amounts for rebuild shops. do you know where i can get some?

 

and it was past Midnight for me when I posted that so..yes I may have been lacking a little brain power for that 1st post...lol...some of us have to get up early (4:30am) ya know.

 

Only Honda has them.

 

I'm sure you know SOMEONE with a car. Jack that car up, pull the alternator and get it tested at AutoZone or AdvanceAutoParts (or a store like on those near you). Take the battery with you and get it charged up also. Chances are, if your alternator ain't working anymore the battery is dead or on it's way. Charge it up before it goes too far.