Hi guys, I'm looking to test my alternator, and just the alternator. I am currently unsure as to whether the alternator or the wiring is faulty.

The story for those who feel like reading: I left my headlights on for a few hours yesterday. It started, but barely. Voltage was right around nine. I drove for about five minutes and then it shut off. I jumped off someone and it quit as soon as we took the cables off. We jumped it again, this time leaving the cables on and reving the engine for 5-10 minutes. It drove just finve at about 14 volts the rest of the way home ( about a half hour). After a few hours I go to start it and it starts fine but the voltage starts at around 9 and decreases the further I drive until it stops again about an hour later.

I'm just confused as to why it work not work, the work fine, and then not work again. BTW its a '96. Any advise? Thanks, Taylor

 

How old is your battery? It may have just been completely dead.

 

First, you shouldn't recharge a dead battery with your alternator. If you have to jump it to get home, fine, but then put a charger on it overnight.

The best way to test just the alternator is to take it off and bring it to a parts store for testing. If you charge your battery and bring that in, they can test it, too.