Lumina 96 LS | 3.1L

Hello!

I believe that my car's generator/alternator is dead. Since I'm a total newbie in car repairing, pls help me to answer several simple questions. Thank you!

1. what happen. during driving i've "low volt" light, than decreasing the headbeam intensity, and other symptoms. that is a clear sign that the alternator does not work properly and the car running on the battery. fortunately, i could make it home.

2. how to check? Is it wiring/fuse/computer problem OR the alternator is really dead? this is what i don't know for sure. what i've done:

i've checked the voltage on the battery (with engine off) - it's less than 12V.

i've checked the same voltage with engine on, but no noticeable difference appeared.

i've checked wire connection (with engine off) between the battery's and alternator's positive terminals - there is no cut, connection is good.

what else can be done?

3. Is there a fuse, responsible for alternator work? i've checked the owner's manual and could not find it, looks like there are no special fuses for it. Does someone know about such a fuse and where is it's location?

4. Can it be still a wiring problem? if yes, then how to check?

Finally i want to reinstall the alternator (will buy a "new" one in a junkyard), but before it i want to be sure that the problem is in the alternator. Please, help me if can.

Regards, Roman

remove alternator and have autozone test it. go from there with results.

i've changed the alternator, everything is fine now. the old one gave only 10 V output.

For further reference, since I didn't see this in time, you could have checked the charging voltage at the large terminal on the back of the alternator (where the big red wire attaches) to see if it was the alternator itself or a blown fuse link in the line or a bad connection.

I do this first, hate going to the trouble of replacing an alternator and then finding out it's a wiring/fuse link problem after all...