What are the signs of a bad alternator?

[SuprSpdDB7]

WHAT are the signs of a bad alternator?

[Fin]

On my '94, the CHECK GAUGES light would always come on, along w/reduced volts on the meter (usually 10 or so). As it gets worse, you get ABS INOP lights, etc. If you have an A4, it may not want to shift into 4th (OD), since it's also electronically-controlled.

[99firebirdconv.]

one other thing is that it will squeel really loud, that means the bearings are seizing! :D

[AZ3.8Camaro]

Mine went out and the power gauge just slowly went down, the check gauages light went on, I was on the freeway, so eventually all the lights dimmed and went out, the abs inop and airbag inop lights were on, blinkers wouldn't work, so I pulled over and the idle was about 5000 RPMS. SO i just turned it off. If your charge dies while the car is running, its your alternator. If your car starts and runs fine, but won't restart, its your battery. But, hey go get it checked at checkers or autozone for free!!

[MustangEater8251]

It will not charge your battery enough to start your car, watch your pwer guage it will dip down, fluctuate alot with reves, will change charging range, without turning anything on or off and keeping motor at a consistent revs, and my ABS inop light ALWAYS came on, I never saw check guages or anyhting else.

Check all your connections to everything, battery, and alternator, clean them up, then take the car to autozone they will test it for free.

[need4speed]

In some vehicles it will make the radio produce squeeling sounds when you are listening to it...it will be mostly heard on am stations tho.

[TheBeast]

if your tachometer starts freakin out and goin all over the place find a place to pull over because its about to go dead :D