Have you ever wondered what made car manufacturers decide to go from dynamos to alternators for generating electricity? It's a mix of reliability and cost.

Disconnecting the battery while the engine is running isn't a valid test for alternator function and may damage sensitive electronic parts. Instead, use a common voltmeter and the following test ...

Your car won't start for the second day in a row. You ask your neighbor for a jump (again) and head off to work — late, of course. You come to the conclusion that it has to be the battery or the ...