Do think those starter/alternator bench tests is over rated and not reliable?

davbell22602 · 11-20-2009, 07:07 AM

yes, because when its your vehicle it passes numerous wires/circuits and the bench test is a direct wire with alot more power the vehicle puts out.

hotrodpc · 11-20-2009, 08:37 AM

Bench test equipment can find the OBVIOUS bad parts, but you have pretty much anwered your own question. A worn starter is not necessarily a bad starter, but it being bench tested, it can show to be a good stater becuase the bench test equipment can overcome a worn starter by having more power and direct power to compensate for higher required resistance to operate the starter where a vehicle may not have enough amperage to overcome the wear factor even though the vehicle may have the proper amount of volts. Just for the purpose of explanation, if you considered volts horsepower and amps torque, a auto system may have enough horsepower to turn that starter over, but not enough torque, where bench test equipment likely has just about an unlimited supply of torque and can turn over a bad starter and make it sound great.

bradrhale · 11-20-2009, 10:45 AM

cant say i have tried bench testing a starter. i have always put it on the ground with my foot on top of it. would that be ground testing one??

eponator · 11-20-2009, 11:23 AM

Brad... LMAO!!

As for benchtests... OVERRATED!!! Many times I've been told the starter or alternator is fine only to later find out its Ef'd up! Basically for the same reasons you specified in your post Dave.

I've gotten into many arguments with parts store managers over this. Eventually after multiple times of proving them wrong they don't even test what I bring in anymore... just a no questions asked parts swap hahaha.

davbell22602 · 11-20-2009, 11:56 AM

I guess you mean this post right?

engine won't turn over when using key

They to find a better way thats equal power to a vehicle.

eponator · 11-20-2009, 11:59 AM

Correct and I agree, the current bench tests are a joke...

davbell22602 · 11-20-2009, 12:04 PM

Have you read my post lately?

BernieB · 11-20-2009, 02:13 PM

Any test is only as good as the ability of the person doing the test, the capabilities of the equipment used, and how well the test mimics actual operating conditions. Sadly, you'll very, very seldom get a parts place that has high values for all three of those conditions, and unless you do, the "test" isn't worth squat.

eponator · 11-20-2009, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by davbell22602

Have you read my post lately?

Yep and I replied. I don't stray into the Chevy section too often as I barely have enough time to answer the questions in the Ford section but I occasionally jump in there when I have an extra minute or two.

If you ever need my input on something and I haven't paid your thread a visit feel free to PM me

11-20-2009, 07:07 AM	#1
davbell22602 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winchester, va Posts: 3,640	Do think those starter/alternator bench tests is over rated and not reliable? yes, because when its your vehicle it passes numerous wires/circuits and the bench test is a direct wire with alot more power the vehicle puts out.

11-20-2009, 08:37 AM	#2
hotrodpc Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: OK Posts: 6,936	Bench test equipment can find the OBVIOUS bad parts, but you have pretty much anwered your own question. A worn starter is not necessarily a bad starter, but it being bench tested, it can show to be a good stater becuase the bench test equipment can overcome a worn starter by having more power and direct power to compensate for higher required resistance to operate the starter where a vehicle may not have enough amperage to overcome the wear factor even though the vehicle may have the proper amount of volts. Just for the purpose of explanation, if you considered volts horsepower and amps torque, a auto system may have enough horsepower to turn that starter over, but not enough torque, where bench test equipment likely has just about an unlimited supply of torque and can turn over a bad starter and make it sound great. __________________ *Winners NEVER Quit , Quitters NEVER Win !!!*

11-20-2009, 11:23 AM	#4
eponator Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SO Cal Posts: 772	Brad... LMAO!! As for benchtests... OVERRATED!!! Many times I've been told the starter or alternator is fine only to later find out its Ef'd up! Basically for the same reasons you specified in your post Dave. I've gotten into many arguments with parts store managers over this. Eventually after multiple times of proving them wrong they don't even test what I bring in anymore... just a no questions asked parts swap hahaha. __________________ '99 F350 5.4L crewcab Longbed

11-20-2009, 11:59 AM	#6
eponator Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: SO Cal Posts: 772	Correct and I agree, the current bench tests are a joke... __________________ '99 F350 5.4L crewcab Longbed

11-20-2009, 12:04 PM	#7
davbell22602 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winchester, va Posts: 3,640	Have you read my post lately? Last edited by davbell22602; 11-20-2009 at 12:37 PM.

11-20-2009, 10:45 AM	#3
bradrhale Senior Moderator Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 9,528	cant say i have tried bench testing a starter. i have always put it on the ground with my foot on top of it. would that be ground testing one??

11-20-2009, 11:56 AM	#5
davbell22602 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: winchester, va Posts: 3,640	I guess you mean this post right? engine won't turn over when using key They to find a better way thats equal power to a vehicle.

11-20-2009, 02:13 PM	#8
BernieB Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Fredericksburg, VA Posts: 3,876	Any test is only as good as the ability of the person doing the test, the capabilities of the equipment used, and how well the test mimics actual operating conditions. Sadly, you'll very, very seldom get a parts place that has high values for all three of those conditions, and unless you do, the "test" isn't worth squat. __________________ If the guys who design 'em had to take one home, use it every day for 2 years, and do all the maint and repairs themselves, cars would have a button on the dash to change the oil, filters & plugs.

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