# How do I test an alternator while the car is running?

**URL:** <https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-test-an-alternator-while-the-car-is-running/143313>\
**Category:** Maintenance/Repairs\
**Tags:** charger, dodge\
**Created:** [June 30, 2019, 3:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-test-an-alternator-while-the-car-is-running/143313 "2019-06-30T03:05:07Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Sandra05](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d07c76/32.png) [@Sandra05](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Sandra05)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 3:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-test-an-alternator-while-the-car-is-running/143313/1 "2019-06-30T03:05:07Z")

</div>

Quick test for alternator while car is running

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![old\_mopar\_guy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/6bbea6/32.png) [@old\_mopar\_guy](https://community.cartalk.com/u/old_mopar_guy)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2019, 3:25am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/how-do-i-test-an-alternator-while-the-car-is-running/143313/2 "2019-06-30T03:25:28Z")

</div>

Put a volt meter across the battery terminals. You want to see between 14.5 and 14.7 volts with the engine running at 1,500 rpm.