Get a friend to start the vehicle and rev it to 1000rpm while you connect a voltmeter across the battery posts.Voltage should be around 14volts,anything less than 12volts indicates a problem.Now turn the headlights,ac,and radio on,rev the engine to 2000rpm,check voltage again.It should be around 14volts again.If its way lower than 14volts,replace the alternater.Make sure the alternater belt is not worn or loose.Another thing to check is the charge indicater light on dash.When you first turn the key on,this warning light should come on momentarily then go back off.If the bulb is burned out or this light isn't coming on due to a wiring harness or other issue,that can cause the alternater to malfunction,so make sure its coming on.Check the fuse/relay panel too for any fuses related to the battery,charging system,or alternater.Some vehicles also have a fusible link spliced into the alternater wiring harness which can melt from a short then open the circuit between battery and alternater.

you can test the alternator with a clamp ammeter first on the alternator output cable and then on the battery positive terminal with the engine running both times, takes seconds, that's a 12 year old car so both the battery and alternator are suspect change the cheapest( battery) first if it is more than 6 years old

Could be a bad connection between the engine and the body, a faulty voltage regulator (not likely), a bad stretched out belt, tensioner spring is weak, or the alternator bushings let it spin until they got hot and seized the armature. That's how my alternator acted the day I changed it!

Your electrical problem may be cause by the malfunction of more than one component. We recommend bringing your vehicle to your local Kia dealership service department and let one of our qualified mechanics run some tests.

Raul T.

Kia Social Team

My 02 kia spectra started a little funny. Then it was running pretty rough for first 30 seconds. Once warmed, she was fine.

15 miles later my radio shuts off, lights get dim, and then car begins to die.

We all can agree its probably the alternator not charging battery, but battery works just fine to power car (until dead)

Before I remove the Alternator and have tested, are there any other possible causes, and why?