If my alternator is good (including wiring) should I beable to start my car and then disconnect my battery and the car keeps running?

 

You Can Not Take Both Terminals Off Or It Will Die. You Have To Leave The Neg For A Ground. It Will Run With The Pos Off. That Is How To Check To See If Your Altenator Works.

 

interesting. so what you're saying is the neg terminal on the battery is the ground for the alternator?

 

I Dont Think For The Alt. All I Know Is It Will Not Run With That Terminal Off.

 

I wouldnt suggest doing that. It worked great on old cars but with the new computerized cars thats a big no no.The sudden spike may damage your computerized componants

 

I was just disconnecting the positive side and the car dies instantly. I just replaced the alternator because i thought it was that but i guess it was the wiring.

 

It could still be a dead battery too! And agreed, you should not do this to check and see if your alternator is good on newer vehicles...even the very minute voltage/current spikes can damage alot of electrical components! Take the battery off and go to your local parts store...they will charge it and load test it for free!

 

or you can just take it to autozone and have them load the battery and test for the alternator....

 

In my mom '98 blazer the engine still runs without the battery (once its started of course). it reved up pretty smooth without it. Just carefull that the terminals dont touch anything.

and BTW, its a '98 Blazer 4x4 with the Vortec 4.3L V6 and automatic tranny.
The engine has throttlebody injection so that might make a difference over the more sophisticated LS1.

 

Do not do this.....you are asking for more trouble.

 

yea DONT DO IT, I work at advanced and it seems like EVERYONE does it, like said above worked great on older cars, but with all the new computers it could mess you car up and give it real problems