Hi-ya! good afternoon, today i will created an article about Why does a car’s alternator go bad? – Most Common Causes!
The alternator is responsible for powering a vehicle’s electrical system, providing the main conduit between the car’s engine and its battery. In this post you will learn why does a car’s alternator go bad.
Although many do not initially notice an alternator failure because the battery has stored enough energy to run the electrical system, eventually the battery will lose its charge and the car will not start.
Why does a car’s alternator go bad?
Here are a number of indicators that will tell you why a car’s alternator is failing:
1- Diodes in error
An alternator is essentially made up of three smaller alternators, each supplying different levels of power. Each power level has its own pair of diodes. Over time, the diodes can break. Each time a diode pair fails, the remaining working diodes carry a greater proportion of the current capacity.
As long as you have at least 1/3 of the capacitance provided by a pair of diodes, the vehicle will still run. When all three pairs of diodes fail, you will not be able to activate the car’s electrical functions, including the windshield wipers, heat, and lights.
2- Defective bearings
The alternators spin on high-precision needle bearings that you can’t usually hear. When the bearings are faulty, the alternator makes a loud rumbling noise, which sounds like metal rubbing against metal. When the bearings no longer work, replace the alternator.
3- Insufficient field voltage
An alternator must have a field voltage of 12 volts to produce electricity. Use a voltmeter to check if enough volts are being supplied to the alternator. Too few volts can decrease the performance of the alternator.
4- Worn belt
Alternators use a rotating belt to generate power. A strap can become loose and slip as it wears. If you examine the alternator and find that the belt closest to the pulley is shiny or cracked, it needs to be replaced. This is how a car’s alternator goes bad!
You might be interested in knowing about: How To Determine If An Alternator Or Starter Is Bad
The alternator is responsible for powering a vehicle’s electrical system, providing the main conduit between the car’s engine and its battery. In this post you will learn why does a car’s alternator go bad.
Although many do not initially notice an alternator failure because the battery has stored enough energy to run the electrical system, eventually the battery will lose its charge and the car will not start.
Why does a car’s alternator go bad?
Here are a number of indicators that will tell you why a car’s alternator is failing:
1- Diodes in error
An alternator is essentially made up of three smaller alternators, each supplying different levels of power. Each power level has its own pair of diodes. Over time, the diodes can break. Each time a diode pair fails, the remaining working diodes carry a greater proportion of the current capacity.
As long as you have at least 1/3 of the capacitance provided by a pair of diodes, the vehicle will still run. When all three pairs of diodes fail, you will not be able to activate the car’s electrical functions, including the windshield wipers, heat, and lights.
2- Defective bearings
The alternators spin on high-precision needle bearings that you can’t usually hear. When the bearings are faulty, the alternator makes a loud rumbling noise, which sounds like metal rubbing against metal. When the bearings no longer work, replace the alternator.
3- Insufficient field voltage
An alternator must have a field voltage of 12 volts to produce electricity. Use a voltmeter to check if enough volts are being supplied to the alternator. Too few volts can decrease the performance of the alternator.
4- Worn belt
Alternators use a rotating belt to generate power. A strap can become loose and slip as it wears. If you examine the alternator and find that the belt closest to the pulley is shiny or cracked, it needs to be replaced. This is how a car’s alternator goes bad!
You might be interested in knowing about: How To Determine If An Alternator Or Starter Is Bad
