How to Troubleshoot the Alternator in a Honda Accord

An alternator is designed to take the energy produced by the engine and use it to create an electrical current to charge the battery and run the electronics. The alternator is at the front of the engine and is run by a rubber serpentine belt. When an alternator goes bad, it can kill the battery, make the car run rough or cause the electronics to malfunction. Troubleshooting the alternator is a relatively easy task if you know what to look for.

Things You'll Need

  • Multimeter
  • Check the serpentine belt. If the belt is not attached, the alternator will not spin and therefore will not create a charge.

  • Check the body ground of the vehicle. The body ground is where the negative cable of the battery meets the body. This needs to have secure contact with the body.

  • Check the wiring harness on the rear of the alternator. It should be securely clipped onto the rear of the alternator.

  • Check the power output cable at the rear of the alternator. It is held on by a nut, and that nut needs to be securely fastened to the alternator.

  • Start the vehicle and put the multimeter on the positive and negative terminals of the battery, and check the voltage. The voltage of the alternator should be in-between 13 and 14 volts.