Question about testing an alternator with a DMM and a doucheag towing company story

[hzsogood 5,000+ posts]

My mom has a 2001 ford econoline van, and the battery died yesterday when she was out in the middle of nowhere and ended up paying some jackoff company $65 for a jumpstart that lasted 10 minutes.. Well that wasnt the issue, 10 minutes later it died.. he charged her another 65 to come back, $80 for a $60 dollar battery and $20 to hook it up. ****ing ********...

Anyways... ANOTHER battery was put in , and she was able to make it home, but something didnt seem right, and now the power windows dont roll down. So is this a short or does something need to be reset? And as a last resort im going to check the alt.. Can you check a alt with a DMM to see it the battery is holding a steady 14.4 or is that not the best way

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[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

yes....with the car off, the batt should rest ~12.5+

when started, the batt should read 14+

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

sounds like the alt is not charging....check the belt

 

[hzsogood 5,000+ posts]

sounds like the alt is not charging....check the belt

yea shes on her way over now, Couldnt remember if that was just a legit way to see foltage drops ( as i learned heavily in CA ) or if it was accurate enough to rip out the alt based off that alone

 

[kodak314 10+ year member]

well this doesnt sound rite because once the car is started from the jump, itll continue to run (from the alt) even if the battery is bad. unless she cut the car off 10 mins later.

 

[HonkyKong 10+ year member]

well this doesnt sound rite because once the car is started from the jump, itll continue to run (from the alt) even if the battery is bad. unless she cut the car off 10 mins later.

Not if the alternator given up the ghost.

 

[blazeplacid 10+ year member]

sounds like alt is toast

$65 to drive to the middle of nowhere and jump start sounds about right.

$80 for a $60 battery in the middle of nowhere sounds about right

they should of had a way to check the alt though, which sounds like your alt is gone

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

twat happened with this?

 

[AVSTANG02]

Tell your mom to give me a call and i'll take a look under her "hood".

sucka.

 

[hzsogood 5,000+ posts]

the company was 5 minutes away from her.. SHE was in the middle of nowhere, lil **** town... \

Why im pissed is cuz he didnt even check the alt.. I know a flat rate for a truck is 50-$75 , but to double charge the 65 when he didnt even fix the issue or check it.. and $20 to put 2 wires on terminals.. I have been on many runs.. My friends dad owned a towing company , and we did police calls, key locks, batteries etc.. And if we couldnt fix the problem the first time, we sure as hell wouldnt guess at it and then charge another $65 to drive 4 miles back to fix the problem THEY started in the forst place... and that my friends, is scamming

 

[hzsogood 5,000+ posts]

twat happened with this?

I ended up getting it into town on my buddies hauler,, It was the alt... avg charge was 12.4 and dropping with any acc on

 

[dman4486 5,000+ posts]

I ended up getting it into town on my buddies hauler,, It was the alt... avg charge was 12.4 and dropping with any acc on

well glad we could help

 

[hzsogood 5,000+ posts]

well glad we could help

lol

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[bigbangtheory 5,000+ posts]

Yeah I be a little pissed to about being charged another 65 smacks for something that should have been done right the 1st time around.

Most insurance companies have roadside assistance for free or not much extra cost. Has saved me a few times with my wifes POS ride.