Do you own a '69-or-earlier Mopar musclecar? Unless it has already been upgraded, the charging system consists of the old "weak sister" single-field alternator and its accompanying mechanical ...

It’s always the same sinking feeling when you notice that the interior lights seem dim as you climb into your Mustang. A twist of the key confirms the miserable truth with a clicking noise from the ...

Today’s 12-V alternator regulators must do much more than just regulate—they even include a basic network interface. The days of a simple dc-charging subsystem in a car consisting of an alternator, ...

When Chevrolet introduced the redesigned Corvette in 1963 one of the new features was the Delcotron alternator that replaced the venerable generator. Dubbed the 10 DN, the externally regulated ...

Disconnecting the battery while the engine is running isn't a valid test for alternator function and may damage sensitive electronic parts. Instead, use a common voltmeter and the following test ...

A common problem exists when driving automotive alternators via motors. In the process of attempting to regulate the charging voltage of a low battery, the alternator shaft torque usually exceeds the ...

The alternator is a device that keeps your car's electrical system running once the engine is on. It's essentially a small generator that converts mechanical energy into electricity, bolted to the ...

Last week, I talked about troubleshooting a car-died-while-driving condition on my 1969 Lotus Elan +2, which I eventually traced to a broken contact face—on a set of points that didn’t even have 300 ...

The alternator is responsible for charging the car battery and powering all the car's onboard network consumers. If it fails or is unstable, the battery will either not be charged or start discharging ...

The days of a simple dc-charging subsystem in a car consisting of an alternator, rectifying diodes, basic regulator, and battery are nearly gone—no question of that. Now, the 12-V automotive regulator ...