Starting and Charging System Test
When we diagnose your starting and charging system we first look at
your alternator belt and pulley to be sure that there is correct
tension on the belt so that the alternator is turning at the correct
speed, and to be sure that your belt does not squeak. We then check
your battery cables, wiring and connections. There is a good amount of
vibrations in all vehicles and we want to be sure nothing is coming
loose. After checking the basics we move on to testing the battery
itself. We first load test the battery for 15 seconds at 50% of the
batteries amperage. This will tell us if your battery has any depth of
charge or if it is a surface charge. If it is a surface charge your car
may start fine all of the time, but if it does not start right away
(like when it is cold out) your battery will die and you will need a
jump. We then charge the battery for a full 3 minutes and test the max
voltage that the battery shows. This is another test that shows the
health of your battery. If the battery checks out good we go on to test
the alternator and regulator. All alternators are rated for a specific
amperage so we test your alternator to be sure it is putting out the
correct amount. We then test the regulated voltage and regulator
operation. We then check amperage draw and voltage drop across the
starter. This tells us if there is additional resistance in the starter
itself signaling that it is bad. We check all these figures against the
manufacturers specifications to be sure they are within spec. We then
turn off the key and check the system for very small draws such as a
clock or an alarm system. If this draw is over a certain number you
could be looking at a dead battery if your car sits for an extended
period.
OUR GARANTEE
