I noticed that when I turn my steering wheel the headlights dim. I went to advance auto parts and then checked my battery and alternator and said the alternator is overcharging. I called my mechanic and he said it could be two things. Either the alternator is bad or there is an open wire. Does that mean there is an open wire anywhere in the entire car or an open wire by the alternator? I'm worried he meant he has to check every wire in the car.

 

Have your battery load tested. POSSIBLE that the battery is bad or has been for a while AND the system is relying on the alternator for all it's power AND if the belt is slipping, even a little, the battery might not keep up. IF the alternator is overcharging in time it will boil your battery and reck it. These cars when they first start will put out 15 volts FOR A SHORT TIME then drop off to 13 or 12 volts depending on the load on the system. If they started it up and checked it with a weak battery it would seem to be OVERCHARGING cause it's trying to catch up Do this: after it's been running a while put a volt meter on the battery(AT IDLE) and see what it reads. THEN shut off the car and leave the meter on and watch it. should be 12.5 or 13 volts and not drop to 11. 10 volts is the threshold when you will start seeing problems.