Probably, if you have heard the term “Alternator” before, you know that this part is an essential part of your car. But what exactly does the Alternator do? Simply put, an Alternator keeps your car battery charged and allows you to start the car and use electronic accessories.
If you are experiencing car Alternator problems, you may find that your car won’t start or won’t stay on for more than a few minutes.
You may also experience issues with Batteries, Accessories, and Lights. However, before any of these things happen, you will most likely experience one or more of these 7 signs of Alternator failure.
Read on to learn how to diagnose Alternator failure before it fails and leaves you on the road.
Alternator Failure Symptoms
The battery provides the electrical power needed to start the engine. Instead, the engine turns an alternator that keeps the battery charged while the car is running. The dynamo is the bridge between these two parts.
Since the battery cannot power your motor and electrical accessories indefinitely, it needs an alternator to convert the motor’s rotational force into electricity.
If there is a problem with this Charging System, you will encounter at least one of the following alternator failure symptoms:
1. Turning on the Battery Warning Light on the Dashboard
When the battery warning light on the dashboard comes on, it is mistaken to think that the problem is only with the battery.
However, a battery warning light usually indicates that there may be a problem with your vehicle’s entire electrical charging system, including the alternator.
Alternators operate at a specific voltage, usually between 13 and 14.5 volts. If your alternator fails, its voltage may drop below capacity, causing the battery warning light on the dashboard to come on.
Similarly, depending on how much stress the alternator is under, the battery light may also come on if the voltage is too high.
Depending on the electrical load of your vehicle’s accessories (headlights, wipers, radio, etc.), you may see the battery warning light turn on and off as the alternator fluctuates at the desired voltage capacity.
While this may seem like a minor problem, if the alternator is in good condition and the engine is running, this light should never blink.
In this case, it is better to take your car to a repair shop to have the Alternator checked rather than being stuck on the side of the road.
2. Dim or excessively bright lights
When the alternator or alternator voltage regulator fails, it may provide unstable voltage to your car’s electronic accessories.
Generally, this manifests itself as under-functioning or over-functioning equipment, such as headlights that are too dim or too bright.
You may see flickering lights or lights that dim and brighten uncontrollably.
Also, overloaded lights may burn out prematurely if the problem is not resolved quickly.
3.Empty Battery
Sometimes, a dead battery is exactly what it sounds like—it’s dead after a few years of use—or maybe the headlights were accidentally left on all night.
However, at times, a dead battery can be a sign that your alternator is failing.
A bad alternator will not charge the battery adequately while the engine is running, causing the battery to drain faster than normal.
One way to test if your battery or alternator is bad is to start the car with an auxiliary battery.
If you start the car correctly with the auxiliary battery and it stays on, you may need to replace the battery soon.
However, if you start the car with the auxiliary battery and it shuts off again as soon as you disconnect the auxiliary battery cables, your alternator may not be supplying enough power to the battery.
If your battery only drains overnight or when the car is parked with the engine off, your alternator rectifier may be faulty.
Alternators produce alternating current (DC), but car batteries require direct current (AC).
If the rectifier works properly, it converts alternating current to direct current by limiting the flow to one direction.
However, if the rectifier diode is defective, current can flow in either direction. This means that the alternator can actually drain the battery!
If the diodes on the rectifier don’t prevent reverse current, the battery will send power to the alternator when the engine is off, draining the car’s battery.
4. Slow or defective Accessories
An alternator that doesn’t supply enough power to your car’s electronics will often cause accessories to slow down or stop working.
If you notice that the windows are taking longer than usual to roll up and down, or the seat heaters seem weak, or even the speedometer and other instruments start playing crazy while the vehicle is running, you may have an alternator problem.
Many modern vehicles also have a priority list of equipment programmed into the on-board computer that tells it which parts to turn off first if the alternator isn’t getting enough power.
That way, if you’re driving with a broken alternator, you may lose power to the radio (or other unnecessary accessories) before the headlights even turn off.
5. Trouble Starting or Shutting down frequently
Difficulty starting the engine may mean that the alternator is failing to charge the battery. This means that when you turn the switch or press the start button, instead of the smooth hum of the engine, you’ll only hear a click.
Alternatively, if your car frequently shuts off while driving and you notice that the battery light is on, it may be a sign that the control modules are not getting enough power from the alternator to keep the engine running.
6. The sound of Roaring or Howling
Cars make a lot of strange noises – some of them are harmless, while others can indicate serious mechanical problems.
If you hear a rumbling or howling noise from under the hood, you may have an alternator or other belt problem that should be checked by a professional as soon as possible.
This roaring or howling noise occurs when the belt that rotates the alternator pulley is out of place or rubbing against the side of the pulley. You may also hear this noise if the bearings that turn the rotor shaft fail.
7. The Smell of burnt rubber or Wire
A bad smell of rubber or burnt wire can indicate that your alternator parts are starting to wear out. Because the alternator belt is under constant tension and friction—and because it’s so close to the engine’s heat—it can wear out over time, giving off an unpleasant burnt-rubber smell.
Similarly, if your alternator is overheating or has frayed or damaged wires, you may smell a burning odor similar to an electrical fire.
An overworked alternator tries to push too much current through its wires, causing them to become dangerously hot.
Damaged wires also create resistance to electrical current, causing heat and unpleasant odors.
How does the Alternator Work?
Just as the battery is vital to starting the car, the alternator maintains the battery’s charge when the engine is running.
The alternator powers most of the car’s electronic components while driving or stationary, including the headlights, power steering, power windows, windshield wipers, seat heaters, dashboard instruments, and radio with direct current (DC).
Your car’s alternator is also responsible for charging the car’s battery while driving.
Since the motor produces only mechanical energy, it does not produce electricity.
Therefore, we need a source that produces electricity to power all the car’s electrical accessories.
And this is where the alternator comes into play. Car charging system consists of: car battery, voltage regulator and Alternator.
Your car’s alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy with alternating current.
The stator and rotor inside the dynamo act like magnets and rotate to produce alternating current.
The alternating current (AC) is then converted to direct current (DC), which charges the battery. Both overcharging and undercharging the battery can be a serious problem. It controls to supply constant current to the battery.
Alternators can typically last the life of your car, but that’s not always the case. General wear and tear, heat damage, overuse, water exposure, faulty parts, or frayed wires can cause your alternator to fail.
Symptoms of defective Alternator and Battery
Now that you understand the role of the battery and alternator, it is important to recognize the signs of battery failure. Pay attention to the following:
1. Slow Engine start:
When the engine takes more time to start than normal, it is called “slow start”. This weak start can be a sign of a weak battery. If you encounter a slow engine start, it is necessary to check the battery and fix any problems to prevent future car problems.
2. Frequent Battery to battery needing:
If you find yourself frequently needing to “battery to battery” to start your car, this could be a sign of a bad battery. A frequent need to charge the battery can also indicate problems with the alternator or other components of the vehicle’s electrical system.
In order to accurately identify the problem and take the necessary corrective measures, it is necessary to check the battery, alternator and starter.
3. Dimming Headlights:
Dimming headlights can be a sign of a weak battery.
When the car’s battery is weak, it can’t provide enough power to the headlights, causing them to appear dimmer than normal.
If you notice that your headlights are dimming, it’s important to check your battery and fix any issues to ensure your car stays safe and efficient on the road.
Regular battery checks and troubleshooting can help you avoid expensive repairs and keep your car safe.
4. Clicking sound when starting:
Clicking sound when starting the car can be a sign of a weak battery.
These sounds may indicate that your battery is not providing enough power to start the engine, which can lead to further problems in the future.
If you hear a clicking sound when you try to start the car, it is necessary to check the battery and address its problems.
5. Inflated battery case:
A bulging battery case can indicate battery damage.
This condition may be due to the chemical reaction that occurs with battery life, gassing and bloating the case.
If you notice a blown battery case, it is necessary to replace the battery to prevent further damage to the vehicle’s electrical system.
6. Battery life:
A battery that lasts longer than its usual lifespan (3-5 years) is likely to cause problems.
To determine the age of the battery, pay attention to the manufacturing date engraved on the battery.
If your battery is approaching or has passed its expected useful life, it is necessary to replace it to keep the vehicle running and avoid potential problems.
Factors affecting the price of alternator
1. Year of manufacture, Model and Engine Size:
Only an alternator with the exact specifications will work for your vehicle’s needs, so always consider the specifications when purchasing parts such as an alternator.
2. Amperage:
Smaller alternators that don’t need to produce a lot of power for the car usually use less valuable materials like copper in their windings.
Therefore, the cost of making them is lower. However, this is not always true.
3. Installation Style:
Since the alternator must fit perfectly, you can’t just pick a cheap alternator made for another car because it won’t work.
4. Type of Electrical Connections:
Old car alternators that are single wire are often lower priced, while three wire alternators are usually more expensive.
5. New part Warranty:
Obviously, choosing a new part with a one-year warranty will cost you more initially than the same part with a lifetime warranty.
Is it possible to drive with a faulty Alternator ?
Most of the time, it’s okay to drive for short periods when the Alternator isn’t charging enough. Battery backup power can replace electricity, for example, when you go to a repair shop a few blocks away.
However, if your Alternator overcharges, even for a short drive, it can damage computer modules, batteries, and other electronic components or wiring.
Once you’ve diagnosed an Alternator problem, fixing it should be a priority. If you’re not sure it’s safe to drive, err on the side of caution and take your car to a repair shop with a tow truck.
How often should the Alternator be replaced?
Unlike brake pads, tires, or even a propeller belt, it’s difficult to determine how long an alternator will last. On some cars, the alternator will last the life of the car, while on others it may need to be replaced more than once during the life of the car.
In general, an alternator should last about 7 to 10 years.
This period of time can be equivalent to the operation of 150,000 to 100,000 miles or, in other words, 160,000 to 0,240,000 kilometers.
Sources:
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