10 year old video but still relevant and still teaching DIYers such as myself. I sure appreciate you taking the time to post these vids throughout your career. You have helped more people than you know.

@ScannerDanner

Жыл бұрын

Thanks so much man

I would never complain about your thorough tests Paul. I would much rather see a 2 hour video on a blown fuse than a 2 minute video on replacing a fuse.

@ScannerDanner

7 жыл бұрын

nice

@notchback93

6 жыл бұрын

Well said!

@ironwill04

5 жыл бұрын

Heck yeah! It has been my experience that it is rarely a blown fuse. It is always the real world issues.

@tnamen1307

4 жыл бұрын

@@ScannerDanner what is the charging output current from the alternator to the battery when engine is running?? Is it fixed at 1 amp or lower, or varies?? And, how does the alternator stops charging the battery when the battery is full?? Any sensors??

@ScannerDanner

4 жыл бұрын

@@tnamen1307 all done by a voltage regulator that is typically inside of the alternator

From now on you shall be known as the MASTER of the knowledge seekers.

@ScannerDannerPremium

10 жыл бұрын

lol thanks

Many thanks, Mr. Danner. Your videos have helped and continue to help me with my job more than you could know. I owe you the respect I have gained in my shop. Thank you!

I really love watching your videos. Such a great explanation of how the alternator should work based on the wiring diagram. Every time I watch one of your videos, I always pick up something new, and able to use it on my own diagnostics. Thanks a lot.

WOW!!! I've been in this business 10 years now and I've never seen or heard of a alternator not charging due to a bulb circuit malfunction. Definitely gonna put that on my list of stuff to check from now on when I get an alternator not charging.

I know a lot but I'm like a lot of mechanics that never learned the specifics of electrical diagnoses and I find this to be the most in depth instructor . love the videos and thank you.

@ScannerDanner

8 жыл бұрын

Thank you!

@scientist100

4 жыл бұрын

Agreed, I know a lot of mechanics that are good at that, 'mechanical' things, they like to hear around the engine, touch tap but they will never go into troubleshooting mode. Visual inspection is great but one must know where to look and this is where the scanner comes into play. I have friends that ask me to scan their cars and find the problem with my expensive scanner and I just tell them that if it was that easy, then everyone would fix their cars (hence the parts changer was born, thanks to scanners).

Great video as always! For me, the key point in this one was the customer saying the dash quit AND the car died. In addition to the great testing methods shown, I think this also shows how interviewing the customer is important. Keep these great videos coming!

I gotta admit Mr. Danner, you are a teacher for the present and future. I definitely honed my electrical off your videos and learning some different ideas you got going on. Speeds up my work big time at work! Cheers!

Good video Paul. You are quite correct about not replacing parts without understanding the cause of the problem your dealing with...I have done many years in the Auto Electrical trade and find your videos and explenations of problems the best I have seen. Well done for helping out those who wish to learn to diagnose automotive problems..

hi Paul. Thank you for your video and your thoroughness. I'm one of those people that are learning a lot from you and your completeness on covering all the testing bases is truly appreciated. Thank you

@ScannerDanner

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much Tony! It is people like you that I have in mind when creating these videos.

Mr Danner. Every time you pull out a wiring diagram and trace the different components of the circuit you are performing a great tutorial . I share your enthusiasm for Mitchell diagrams and sometimes feel lost without it. Auto electric[s] used to be a separate discipline, but this is no longer the case.

Thank you! This indicator lamp circuit test and its key triggering effect for the alternator to charge is SUCH A LIFESAVER to know for older Miatas! You are the ONLY mechanic to EVER suggest this!

@ScannerDanner

8 жыл бұрын

+yougeo thank you! just be sure it is an incandescent bulb in your test light and NOT an LED type.

@theomnipresent1

8 жыл бұрын

+ScannerDanner Why not use an led type? Does it have to do with resistance?

Very elaborate procedures of charging systems test,great,thanks

Thanks Brian good to hear from you!

wow what a compliment! way to go with your L1 bro. not an easy test to pass for a lot of people. thank you so much

Thank you for understanding that some of us do not know some of us are watching this and still letting you know what you're talking about in some things because they're used in automotive terms and we only know layman terms we would understand layman terms a lot easier than we do Automotive terms, but we're still willing to learn so that's the reason we take the time to specially come to this exceptional channel right here that really goes down the line and gives us a lot of information a lot of times it's it's overload information, but the point is we can continue to watch it over and over again until it all starts to make sense so thank you very very much for making these videos not just for those that know what they're doing but for some of us who know nothing about the electrics and cars and how they work and want to learn and that comes from a person who understand that and is really willing to make a channel how about the people who know but maybe they're missing some things but for those that know nothing and want to learn and keep growing in their knowledge to be able to understand how wiring and being able to check wiring in a car works so thank you once again

For educational purposes, it was excellent that you performed those checks before replacing the defective fuse. I would have added that the charge light circuit is grounded through the stator; thus, with key on, engine off, the light is on until the engine starts and the alternator begins charging, at which time the stator is creating voltage simultaneously removing the ground source for the charge light. Also, with KOEoff, the voltage reading on that circuit would be less due to the presence of the diode. Keep up the great work!

@ScannerDanner

8 жыл бұрын

+Chad Jessup thanks Chad!

Thank you ScannerDanner... This piece of information is exactly what I needed to see right now. I had no idea.

This is good training for junior high school learning. Guy is good beginner trainer.

Excellent explanation on everything you did!

I diagnosed a similiar problem with my '01 Subaru Outback, the #5 fuse under the hood would burn out sparatically. Alt. would stop charging, gauge cluster would die, engine would continue to run. I finally diagnosed the issue, there was a short in an aftermarket front turn signal connector. The loose brass contacts that power the bulb were touching together and popping the fuse. What a P I A! Problem solved with oem bulb connector installed. Great video once again, thanks Paul.

That's a good link, to a great teaching site. I like the practice exams as a way to review topics.

Paul absolutely perfect video and well thought out love the trouble shooting knowledge. Thank you very much

Fantastic video. Learned a lot! Never would have guessed bulb circuit.

Damn!!! )) I learn something new every time..I'm so high up on the ladder because of you P,thank you very much! GOD BLESS YOU!

thanks for this helpful video. I have been searching for a video that explains the importance of the battery light on the dashboard.

I'm going to be not a part changer coz of you Paul, Thanks So Much

You are soooo right about these situations with the car troubleshooting. I'm going through this exact same issue. Just trying to get my brain to retain your testing strategy. I wish I could take your classes. Very impressive work.

@ScannerDanner

9 ай бұрын

Thank you! And you can online if you want! I have ALL of my classes recorded (over 540 videos now) www.scannerdanner.com/join-scannerdanner-premium.html Hope to see you there

typically I check a fuse first, but it really doesn't matter which direction you come from, and it's always good to check the function of the alternator anyway, or at least know how to do it so this instruction is still very valuable. If the fuse is blown, then we know it blew for a reason, so yes, we don't send them away with the fuse replaced because it's going to blow again.

thank you! and I believe you are correct in that assumption about the resistor. that was my thought too! I have seen on other systems a blown bulb cause this so for others reading this don't always count on having a backup resistor like on this car

I get it, I've been a mechanic for 27 years and I would have put an alternator In that vehicle. Great video with extremely good value. Thanks!

Paul thank you so much for this one. GOD bless you

I don't comment on youtube videos but my neighbour who swapped 3 alternators in my car yet he did not test the alternator correctly. I hope the bulb circuit is the issues in what is the cause for my cars issue. I like how thorough you were.. thanks.

owe a huge THANK YOU, scannerdanner. had an accord in today that wasnt charging. check eng. light was on, customer said he tried a new alt-still didnt charge so he brought it in. i verified it wasnt charging, checked for + at the batt post and had power but i saw i didnt have power on the wire from the indicator light. found a blown fuse, replaced it-alt started charging. gotta diagram on that fuse-found it fed the heated o2, checked and found rubbed wire on the o2 from a misinstalled o2 sensor!

Well, for the ones saying why you didn't check the fuses first to find the problem, it's clear that you're not just fixing the car, you're teaching a field and are going down the list. That's what everyone needs to be shown for the sake of teaching. Appreciate all your knowledge being given for free in a professional manner.

@ScannerDanner

Жыл бұрын

Thank you so much for seeing that about what we do. Really appreciate this comment.

good video like all the ones that you make...really good procedure to check the complete system key on and engine running always better to perform voltage drops... thanks paul..

Thank you very much for the video, very educational. Ive done lots of electricañ works on cars and i wouldnt imagine that the bulb circuit would case the alternator not to charge. Great video!!!!

ya i couldnt believe the things i was checking that i remembered you doing in this video were so closely related to my 'real life' situation. the cat conv. that the problem o2 was in was welded in. when it was welded in, it was put at the wrong angle so the o2 wires were stretched bad to make connection to the connector on the car. the wire rubbed thru and actually grounded out on the o2 itself. gotta handshake from the boss for that diag, cant thank you enough!

Awesome video Paul. As you said in your video you need to know how to properly test these vehicles instead of just checking fuses and shipping it. Thank you for taking the time to educate, I'm sure this eats up allot of your personal time.

-with out answer at that time. than you for the deep explanation , by the way this truck was my dad truck not a customer, just to mention Paul f I have done many repairs other mechanic have not be able to do in my area, he has been working for 18 years on Honda dealer and does side work as well me , but He is part changer I feel very satisfy when i do those repair he can not do, but I use the testing method you are teaching , i first test system and replace parts ,ALL CREDIT TO YOUR TEACHING

Very awesome video, I’ve learned so much from you Paul. Thank you for everything you do for us.

Definitely appreciate your knowledge and attention to detail. I had a automotive instructor in college that always told me (if you dont know how it works you can't fix it) you definetly bring that statement home with all your videos. Thank you for taking the time and effort to put out such detailed diag procedures.

Thank for the video Paul. This video is good lection why is important to use a diagram, many mechanic don't like to use it.

Level of detail is impressive Mr. Danner. Have you ever been accused of being a perfectionist like me?

Thanks Dan, I have learned a lot and now do my own work. 👍

Great video Paul. I remember this issue in my Dad's Chevrolet malibu 1978 whenever the bulb was blown off the alternator didn't charge any more unless you activate the bypass circuit by snapping the throttle gently

dude i have learn a lot from you. when i do alternator i use a test light to do most test its a quick easy way. use the test light to check the heavy gauge wire with the test light on ground we get we know that main alternator fuse is good. then you check smaller gauge wires. what i normally do is disconnect the connector in your case, you should find the test light for one of the wire when ignition at run. all alternator regulator the pin that goes to the warning send out negative as learn from you be component in this case the regulator. so with test on ground and touch the light if the gauge fuse is good the battery should come in the dash but you have to know your circuit

This video is one of the best I've come accross. Really good job. I noticed in the scematic that there is a resistor accross the charge indicator bulb, which I am assuming is there to keep the alternator working in case the bulb blows. This won't help with the blown fuse though.

I love your vids I've learned so much from u especially when I get to use what I've learned from u out in the field n helps me find the problem fast n right the first time I tell every one about your vids your awesome keep it thanks

Hello Mr Danner. Your support is great on your website. Big thumbs up for his help. All my best. Bobby

@ScannerDanner

7 жыл бұрын

thanks Bobby!

Never knew that was possible. Thanks. Love your videos.

scannerdanner your a beast. . .your a true master

Thanks for all your help !!!! you ROCK!!!!!!

I know this is a old video, but great video. Having exact same issue with my Toyota Highlander. I've gone to the auto parts store tobuy a battery then they said it was the alternator I will check these two out first.

Very good demonstration

I am so glad scanner that you finally came to the point of what I preach on my channel of automotive electronic schematics that people think one thing everything is the fuse problem and I preach that also if you think that you're never going to be an automotive technician you'll be a mechanic not everything is diffuse there are PCMs ECMs controlling the alternator outputs which people don't know too much about so glad you mentioned this point epic video

My hero, and I dont call anyone that easily. Im not done yet watching the entire video and I have 5 stars for you Paul, is it? My car is driving me crazy with a low voltage, no voltage and voltage drain even when the car is running. I've talked to so many 'subject matter experts' and they all give me the run around and dont even want to look at the car. I too had to get my alternator tested more than twice and even when checked ok I had them rebuild it from the inside out with new parts. I wasn't aware the alternator has to have solid ground connectivity through the casing to the chassis of the vehicle and although I've check there is at least some connectivity the fact that I painted the alternator bracket that holds it to the engine it may not be getting proper grounding. Also, my battery light is always on except today when i put a fully charged battery with at least 13.6v then the light went off but it came back up as my battery kept going down in voltage. I am almost sure now my issue is a wiring problem from the alternator and not the alternator itself. Thanks for not just stopping the video because you know what the problem is but explaining the situation to me a computer systems engineer makes a hell of a difference. My car is a rare SOB Dodge Stealth RT/Twin Turbo AWD, AWS, All Day Headache car but when it runs good it kicks but. Thanks for the information on this video. You've just got a new subscriber .

@ScannerDanner

4 жыл бұрын

Some hate my teaching style, but when you truly need to learn systems and operation and you're not just looking for a silver bullet, then you've found the right channel. Thanks so much!

thanks man! what a great compliment

Good explanatory video. The alternator recently failed in my BMW e30 but there was no charge warning light showing. The bulb is not blown. All ignition lights went off as normal when the car was started as if there was no problem but the battery wasn't being charged. Only indication was radio switching off and lights dimming. Something is obviously blown in the alternator which fools the warning light. The charge warning worked ok when I tried what turned out to be another dud alternator in the car. Anyway a new replacement alternator solved the problem.

Thank you Joel! God bless

I cant wait to see it. I had a similar problem with my 98 ford, it was a bad bulb.

Exactly my point before I put in the fuse I measure from ground to see if I have a short I don't want to blow another fuse but you're doing a great job pool educating young guys I went to Lincoln tech in New Jersey and electronic school unless the only way to learn electronics properly and understanding computers or fuel ejection

So educational I had to watch this again......

thanks for the link! this Toyota is a little different though. There is a 4th wire and this mazda only had three. I am sure it is similar though.

I learned something new today thanks

Thank you!

thanks Mark!

Very good diagnoses

You make a very good point re the “check the fuse” warriors. If all you ever shared was blown fuses none of us would learn from you Paul 👍

thanks Dan another great video.

hi i would like to tell you thank you so much for your videos, i had learned a lot. i do not have enough word to say thanks, you are the best. Moura

thank you for your video. thanks for this video i can fix my cousin's truck today is 00 ford ranger 2.5... thank you very much

quality video mate.well explained

I took off the instrument cluster and then I noticed that I get no charge... I saw this vid and saved 200$ ! :) Thanks dude !

@ScannerDanner

8 жыл бұрын

+Elior Zeno sweet!

Scanner Danner: I tough that the white and black wire should have positive all the time while the car is running. Since the positive goes trough the light bulb. Unless its a a internal problem with the alternator, that is when the alternator give a ground to the light bulb and the light comes on.So i think seeing the 0.2 volts at the start on the diagnostic at the white and black wire, was an indication that we were missing the positive or having an alternator problem, but not saying the alternator is bad yet before applying a positive to the wire as you did.

You are awesome teacher as you said it's not simple in the real life great lesson

@ScannerDanner

3 жыл бұрын

Glad you think so!

Great video. Just like the others. Thanks for the sharing.

I got a truck to do once that wasn't charging someone had fitted an alternator. Batt light on dash. Not charging. After doin similar checks to you found an open circuit ign feed to alternator (that was a blown fuse). Had a dead short on that feed. Finally traced it to an electron headlight adjuster motor short circuit. Had me stumped for nearly a day.

thank you rick

That was amazing! I would have thrown an alternator in that car for sure. What I don't understand is what the wire going to main relay was for. I figured that was the wire to excite the alternator and get it to charge. When I saw voltage at that wire, I immediately thought the wiring was fine and the alt was bad. So, what was that wire for? Again though, awesome!

good point, kinda went on a little rant there didn't I? just don't have patience for some of that but you are correct the majority of my audience, that comment was not meant for. and it is you guys that I truly value and I know you understand why I do things "the hard way" sometimes.

nice find my friend

I think I had an old car years ago in the UK and the charge indicator lamp blew on the dash and the battery stopped charging. They were only filament lamps. I think the voltage on the alternator side varied because the lamp would glow half on sometimes, maybe if the fan belt was slipping. I remember the regulator was some sort of set of relays they would be vibrating all the time. I must be going back to the time of dynamos. Great videos and great knowledge the man has. You can't beat having a good understanding of the theory of how things are meant to work. With cars they always seem to be switching the negative side of things, I suppose there's a good reason for that, if anyone knows?

great video. Thanks Mr Dan :)

I am by no means as knowledgeable as Paul but i want to soak it up as much as possible. My old skool teachers told me if that light is not working at all on the dash find out why.

excellent video, sir😎

Great job! Leave no stone unturned before coming to a conclusion and replacing parts unnecessarily. The bulb circuit "excites" the alternator, without it, it won't charge.

Great video,very elaborate procedures of how to diagnose step by step tests,thank you,Paul. Anyways,without a wiring diagram,how do you know which wire to test because there three wires on that connector,to the alternator ? Is there a color code that indicates which wire does what function? If you don’t mind explain,thank you

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!!!!!!!!

I'm one of those guys who didn't know it's that simple to check a fuse with a test light without pulling them.

wow im glad i tyuned into this, i can honestly say i would have gone torwards the alternator, dont get me wrong i always try to full field it (if possable) before saying its bad, but in this case it would ahve taken me a little while to clue in, nice vid man!! thanks for the head's up, i work for GM i hope the new global A car's and trucks dont do this, and the 2014 trucks are bad ASS!!!

thanks tom

Great video!!!

Paul, your Awesome, Great Vid too, just keep'um coming!, 👍👌

Nice! "good job" from me too

Good video. Never knew the bulb circuit was used to turn on the alternator on some vehicles. Are any of the newer one like this?

thanks alot very good video

Great video bro! Love how your style of diagnostics

very detailed video I have ever seen. Quick question. Do you think that diagram circuit can apply on Honda ?

@ScannerDanner

7 жыл бұрын

Thanks so much! Every car is different my friend. If you need more help, post here. scannerdanner.com/forum/post-your-repair-questions-here.html