Why does my new alternator keep going bad?

Alternators put out alternating current, and the battery needs direct current to charge, so there is a voltage rectifier that converts it, and it can suddenly go bad, too. Dust and dirt can get into the alternator, and over time cause shorts or wear on the brushes.

Can a new alternator be faulty?

There are only a few ways an alternator can go bad, but they tend to happen suddenly without a lot of warning. Besides not charging the battery, this can also throw the serpentine drive belt, causing overheating.

What can ruin a new alternator?

Driving a vehicle through water that is deep enough to splash or flood the alternator can damage the alternator shaft bearings and possibly the brushes and electronics inside the unit as well. Water can also cause corrosion that over time will damage the wiring and bearings inside the alternator.

What would cause a brand new alternator to burn out?

When the battery was going bad, the alternator would have to overwork, causing the alternator to burn out. I’ve seen it the other way around, where the alternator wasn’t charging the battery enough, and caused a relatively new battery to go bad and both would have to be replaced.

How often is a new alternator bad?

In general, you can expect alternators to last about 6-10 years, or about 80,000-150,000 miles.

Can a bad ground damage an alternator?

Could bad ground wires cause my alternator to not have a high output? – Quora. Yes, as can high resistance in any of your battery terminals, battery cables etc etc. Running voltage drops under load on every cable (look up how to properly do a “VOLTAGE DROP TEST” and start at the battery and go from there.

Can you replace a bad diode in an alternator?

It is possible to replace all the parts of the alternator, including the diodes in the rectifier plate. The only sure dead of an alternator is a breakage of the case. Even a defect in one of the windings is curable, although it requires expensive rewinding.

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.

What should I do before installing a new alternator?

Your battery should have been disconnected before you installed the new alternator. Make sure your car battery has the proper capacity for your vehicle and that it is fully charged. If the battery is defective in any way, your alternator will fail well before its time. If the battery is discharged, your alternator will only have a short life.

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 should I do if my alternator battery is discharged?

If the battery is discharged, your alternator will only have a short life. Check the battery cables and the wires to and from the alternator for any wear or corrosion.

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.

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.

When does the alternator warning light come on?

What does it mean when your alternator is not charging?

If the alternator is not charging the battery, you will have a red “ALT” or “charge” sign on your dashboard. This means that your battery is no longer being supplemented for power by the alternator. You will need to recheck the wiring because the light could also be faulty.