Originally Posted by
Hockey Guy
I'm not sure you were being "scammed" as I wasn't there like Druff but there is an easy way to check your alternator.
1. Find the alternator & make sure the belt is tight enough.
2. Start the engine.
3. Take something made of metal, a wrench works fine, & hold 1 end of it just in front of the shiv as the alternator is spinning. If the wrench gets magnetized to the center of the shiv then your alternator should be fine. There may still be a wiring issue downstream of the alternator preventing the battery from getting charged but it's an easy way to check the alternators function.