The alternator in my daily driver 2003 BMW 530i just died. Before I delve into the nuts and bolts of the replacement, it’ll be useful to give you the context on alternators in daily driven modern cars ...

Replacing a car's alternator can cost about $350 to $1,500 or more, depending on the type of car and the alternator's location within the engine bay and how easy it is to access. If your alternator is ...

Alternator trouble is a very common occurrence, and unless you live with a silver spoon in your mouth and have a dedicated person to do your dirty work, alternator trouble is in your future. When it ...

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 ...

Your car’s alternator converts mechanical energy from your engine into electricity, powering your electronics and charging your battery. But when your alternator starts to fail, what can you expect in ...

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 ...

Owning a car might be the biggest, and worst, waiting game on the planet. Every single day that you step into the driver’s seat and wonder, “What might go wrong?” We’re not just talking rust buckets, ...

Not too long ago I completed a custovation* of my bevelhead 1974 Ducati 750GT. In every way, this is a marvelous example of early Italian sport bike engineering — except for the battery charging ...

Production cars began using alternators in the 1960s. As part of the electrical system, alternators made it possible for cars to use higher voltage, and led the way to the modern car charging system.

Last week, I talked about how the alternator in my daily driver 2003 BMW E39 530i died while my wife and I were in southern New Hampshire, and how we successfully made the 45-minute trip home just as ...