How long does it take for an alternator to go bad?
The typical lifespan of a new alternator should be between 5 and 7 years. If it has been that long and you have electrical issues, then your alternator is simply worn out and needs to be replaced. If you think it could be your battery that is at fault, the typical lifespan of a battery is between 2 and 5 years.
What causes an alternator to stop working on a car?
Once the alternator stops working, so do all of the electrical systems required to keep a car going. Other problems can also cause a car to not start. It could be a bad starter, corroded cables, or a broken connection somewhere between the battery and starter.
Can a bad fuse cause an alternator to go bad?
Bad Fuse – Some vehicles use fuses to keep the alternator functional. These fuses blow out after a while or when there is a power surge. In these cases, your alternator would fail and your battery would not charge. If you have a bad alternator, look in the owner’s manual to see if there is a fuse in your car.
How to diagnose an alternator or electrical problem?
Diagnosing alternator problems can be a bit tricky because the electrical system in a car comes from two places, the battery and the alternator. I’ll give you a little background so you can understand what both systems do. The battery has one primary function, which is to start the car.
What happens if you have a bad alternator in your car?
The car won’t start at all. If the problem is a bad alternator, your car will slowly lose power. You’ll be driving down the road, your lights will dim, and you’ll lose power and die. If the problem is with your battery, then you’ll generally only have trouble starting your car since that’s the battery’s main function.
When does the alternator start charging the battery?
Alternator doesn’t start charging battery until engine is revved a couple times. Wiring problem? Excuse my ignorance. I know very little about cars but am trying to learn more. 2009 Hyundai Accent w/~90k miles The other day my car failed, showing all the signs of a bad alternator (battery light on, lights dimming/flickering, etc.).
Why does an alternator take longer to turn on?
The resistor only allows voltage to flow in one direction to the alternator. If the resistance increases in the resistor, or if the resistor allows voltage to flow in both directions, it takes longer to excite the alternator which causes a delay in operation. That’s a pretty interesting find you got there @Tester.
How much does it cost to replace an alternator?
Alternator Prices and Installation. Make sure that your current alternator is beyond repair first before getting a new one. Alternator prices can vary greatly by make and model, but generally speaking, new alternators should run around $250 without labor for installation.
Is it possible to kill an alternator with a dead battery?
Urban myth… but it is so pervasive that it may well prevail into the 22nd century. Even most automotive “experts” insist it is so. It is not difficult to design an automotive charging system that will protect the alternator/generator from high loads.
What happens if you have a new alternator and the battery is not charging?
The alternator in your car is an integral part of your vehicle’s electrical system. If you have a new alternator and the battery is still not charging, then you definitely have some kind of a problem with your battery that you’ll need to address immediately.
Can a bad alternator Fry a new battery?
The flip side is that a defective alternator can fry a battery, also. So replacing a battery and having the new one go bad soon afterward might mean the alternator was bad to begin with. A depressingly large number of people don’t test the charging system after replacing a battery.
When an alternator goes bad does it ruin the battery?
If an alternator goes bad, it certainly can kill a battery. Car batteries don’t like being run all the way down. If you have a fairly new battery, you can usually get away with it once, maybe twice. If the alternator was ailing for a while, the battery may have been low for a long time, which also isn’t good for a battery.
Will a car with a bad alternator start with a new battery?
A bad alternator can prevent a car from starting because it did not charge the battery when the car was running. However, even if you have a dead battery because of the alternator, you can still jump-start the car using the following method.
Can a dead battery damage an alternator?
You can damage an alternator by charging a dead battery with it. You have to remember, alternators are intended to maintain a charge on a good battery. If this weren’t true, the people who make battery chargers would be out of business.
What are signs of needing a new alternator?
- Warning Light. Many automobiles have a battery or alternator warning light on the dashboard.
- Load Test. Conducting a load test will indicate whether or not your alternator needs to be replaced.
- Voltmeter Test. You can test your charging system with a voltmeter.
- Other Signs.
Can a bad battery cause an alternator to over charge?
Make sure that all the connections to the alternator, remote voltage regulator (if applicable) and battery are clean, tight and in good condition. Check your battery or have it tested at your local auto parts store. A bad battery cell can cause the alternator to over-charge the good battery cells.
How can I tell if I have an alternator problem?
To differentiate an alternator problem from the battery, you will need to use a voltmeter to check for voltage. First, turn off the engine and check the battery voltage. A fully charged battery should have a reading of 12.65 volts. Next, turn on the engine and recheck the voltage. You should have a reading of 13.5 to 14.5 volts.
What happens when the diodes in an alternator go bad?
Alternators use diodes to rectify alternating current produced by the alternator into direct current. When one or more diodes go bad, the alternator can cause all kinds of problems. AC voltage leak can cause your lights to dim and drain power from your battery, for example.
What are the signs that an alternator is going bad?
One of the most common symptoms of a failing alternator is flickering, pulsating, or dimmed headlights. If your alternator is beginning to fail it won’t be able to power your headlights effectively.
How do you know when alternator is going bad?
The alternator, as it fails, will drain the battery, causing all electrical systems to power down. Look at the dashboard when you turn the headlights or radio to the “On” position. If the alternator is going bad, your dashboard lights will appear dimmer than usual.
What would cause an alternator to keep going bad?
Common Causes of Alternator Failure Dead Alternator. This one’s pretty obvious. Computer Problem. Newer vehicles are built with computer systems in them such as the ECU. Wiring Problems. There are lots of wires in the vehicle which deliver power to the alternator. Bad Fuse. Vehicles use fuses to keep the alternator functional. Broken Pulley or Broken Belt.
How do you tell alternator is bad?
First, open the hood and start the car. While the engine is running, remove the negative cable from the battery. If the vehicle stalls or dies, the alternator is likely bad. This happens because the alternator is not generating enough electricity to keep the engine running on its own.
Why does the battery warning light come on after replacing the alternator?
A relatively common “side-effect” of replacing a battery and/or alternator in a car is to have the voltage (battery) warning light come on. This is especially true in late-model vehicles with their more sophisticated internal diagnostic systems.
When do you need an alternator in a car?
The car may run for a couple of minutes before the power dies. That is why a functioning alternator is a must for any vehicle. When people experience electrical issues with their vehicle, they’re quick to think it’s the battery’s fault.
What happens when you change the battery in a car?
A relatively common “side-effect” of replacing a battery and/or alternator in a car is to have the voltage (battery) warning light come on. This is especially true in late-model vehicles with their more sophisticated internal diagnostic systems. There are usually two things…
Can a bad alternator keep a car going indefinitely?
An alternator can help replenish the battery in your car, but it can’t keep it going indefinitely. This means it’s important to distinguish between a weak battery and a bad alternator.
When does the alternator warning light come on?
The Chicago Tribune reports that if the alternator has failed, a warning light will normally come on. Most vehicles have a specific light that is battery shaped that will come on to signal if there is an issue.
What should I do if my alternator has failed?
The Chicago Tribune reports that if the alternator has failed, a warning light will normally come on. Most vehicles have a specific light that is battery shaped that will come on to signal if there is an issue. Some may even say ALT. Alternators often have outputs between 13 and 15 volts.
Why is my battery not charging with a new alternator?
One of them is keyed 12v and that tells the alternator to turn on. If you have a bad plug, or broken wire, the alt will spin but do nothing. Wasn’t there also a topic awhile back about not having the charging dummy light in the instrument panel and that could cause the alternator to not turn on.
What causes an alternator belt to go bad?
The problem is that the alternator belt and pulleys are not too durable, which means they can easily break. Pulleys will typically last for a long time before they eventually get damaged from old age.
What are the real symptoms of a faulty alternator?
Symptoms of a Faulty Alternator Difficulty Starting/Runs Rough. It requires a good deal of energy to crank the car’s motor, and if a battery is not replenishing its power properly due to a faulty alternator, Degrading Performance of Electrical Components. This warning sign is less obvious, but will progress in frequency. Growling or Whining Noise. Smell of Burning Rubber.
How do you know if the alternator is failing?
What happens to a failed alternator?
When an alternator begins to fail – or fails outright – the car’s battery begins to take up the slack rather than acting as a capacitor for the system by receiving a constant infusion of electrical power from the alternator.
What happens when alternator fails?
When an alternator fails, these systems no longer receive the correct amount of electrical energy. This can cause these systems to operate erratically or not at all, resulting in stalling and poor running of the engine.
Why does my alternator not charge my battery?
There are lots of wires in the vehicle which deliver power to the alternator. If one of these wires were to become damaged or worn out, then it could cause the alternator to fail at its job and the battery to not get charged.
The typical lifespan of a new alternator should be between 5 and 7 years. If it has been that long and you have electrical issues, then your alternator is simply worn out and needs to be replaced. If you think it could be your battery that is at fault, the typical lifespan of a battery is between 2 and 5 years.
How can I tell if my car has a bad alternator?
This means it’s important to distinguish between a weak battery and a bad alternator. According to Nationwide, there are a few different ways to find out if you’ve got a dead battery or an alternator gone bad. Without starting the car, you can check the battery gauge on the dashboard.
How does an alternator work in a car?
Your alternator is a vital component in your car. It recharges your battery, using engine power, and it also delivers power to your car’s electrical components. Essentially, it keeps the battery from losing charge, and of course if your battery dies, your car is simply not going to work. You ask a lot of your alternator these days.