Let me get this straight. You're going to watch a reality show on TV and let them tell you, all you need to know about automotive electronics.
IT'S television for *%$#@ sakes. Sensationalism at its best or should I say at its worst.
The correct way to troubleshoot any device is with the correct tool. In this case the correct tool is called a volt meter.
As cide1 said, disconnecting the battery can blow the diodes. If the alternator wasn't bad before, there is a good chance it will be afterwards.
If you pull the battery and the engine dies, what was proved?
You may have proved that it wasn't charging, but why wasn't it? Was it a bad alternator, a bad regulator or a bad wire?
You proved squat and may have damaged something else in the process.
Last edited by Richard; 12/10/2007 5:27 AM.
