Signs of a Bad Alternator
This article answers: What are the signs of a bad alternator? What does an alternator do? How does an alternator work? How do you know if it’s the battery or the alternator? Can you still drive with a bad alternator?
The Most Common Signs of a Bad Alternator:
- The car won’t Start
- Difficulty Keeping a Charge
- Dead Battery
- Dim Lights
- Dim headlights as power fades
- Dim dash lights, and interior lights as power fades
- Flickering Lights
- Power from the alternator is unstable causing the flicker
- Electrical System Failure
- Power windows
- Radio
- Climate control
- Engine Stalling
- Dash Warning Light
- Battery Symbol Dash Warning Light is on
- Older Cars show ALT or GEN as the Dash Warning Light
- Strange Sounds
- If the alternators pulley is broken you’ll hear noises
- Smoke or Burn smell – SEVERE don’t drive
- Friction can cause several issues when out of alignment
- Broken components generate heat
- Broken components melt rubber sheaths
- Broken wires
What does an alternator do in a car?
An alternator converts the engine’s energy into electricity. The alternator powers the vehicle’s electrical components and keeps a charge in the battery.
How does an alternator work?
The alternator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy in a car. The engine powers a drive belt on a pulley attached to the alternator. The pulley moves the rotor shaft that spins magnets around a coil generating an alternating current around the coil. Then through the alternator’s rectifier, it converts the (AC) current into (DC) direct current power. Now the DC power runs the vehicle’s electrical systems.
What happens when an alternator goes bad?
When your alternator goes bad there’s a disruption in the vehicle’s electrical systems. The power steering will lock. Usually, they die and a jump won’t fix it.
Signs of a bad alternator vs a bad battery
How do you know if it’s the battery or the alternator?
Check & Replace your battery first
If your car is dead it’s easy to assume it’s the battery. The life of a battery is typically 6-12 years, oftentimes it’s best to get a new battery first. The life of an alternator can last the life of the car, while the batteries need to be changed out several times. This is why car batteries are more likely to die before an alternator does.
The Car won’t’ Start or Stay on
New Battery but the car won’t start
However, you may find yourself jumping the car multiple times only to find the car won’t hold a charge. If you’ve already replaced your battery and your car won’t stay charged it’s time to schedule a look at your alternator with Truman’s Automotive & ADAS Calibrations. This is an indicator that it might not be the battery but the alternator.
Other common electrical issues with cars+
Can you still drive with a bad alternator?
If you have signs of a bad alternator it’s not safe to drive.
No. Once the alternator starts going out it’ll cut power to the car battery and electrical components. A car cannot drive without the alternator because it generates power.
Do Electric Vehicles have alternators?
No. Fully electric vehicles don’t have alternators. Electric vehicles don’t have engines. As we learned above an alternator converts the AC into DC from the engine.
More on why electric vehicles don’t have alternators
If you suspect your alternator is going bad talk to a Truman’s Automotive Mechanic. We’re more concerned with your safety. Driving with a bad alternator can be dangerous. It’s important that you work with a mechanic you can trust to let you know how safe your car is to drive and what the next best steps are to get it fixed.
If you think you have signs of a bad alternator, ask Trumans
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