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I changed the alternator but now my car won't start!
Help! I just changed my car’s alternator, but now the thing won’t turn over at all. What should I do? What might be causing this issue? If I changed the alternator and the car won’t start, does that mean something else is broken?
Matt Terzi · Updated on
Reviewed by Shannon Martin, Licensed Insurance Agent.
We’re sorry this happened! But good on you for doing your own car repairs. These sorts of things can happen, and it’s best to just diagnose it and see what went wrong. So let’s do that now!
- Test the battery: Make sure your car battery has good voltage, between 12.6 and 14.5 volts. If it’s too drained, it can’t be jumped without being reconditioned or replaced.
- Check your connections: Is everything set up correctly? Check over your installation and retrace your steps to make sure you didn’t skip anything important.
- Test the new alternator: Even brand new parts can fail at times. It’s worth breaking out that handy-dandy multimeter and testing the new alternator to make sure it’s working properly.
- Check other parts: You could have an issue with your fuel pump, oil pump, starter, transmission, or any number of other components.
Ultimately, you may need to visit a professional mechanic who can diagnose this problem with better tools than most DIY repair car owners have if you can’t find the problem yourself.
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