You can take several easy steps to diagnose whether your alternator is on the fritz. First, most cars today have a dashboard light that glows when the ignition is switched on. This light usually is represented with a symbol of a battery. Have you ever heard a buzzing noise when the key is on, but the car isn't running?
That's the voltage from the battery running through the charging system. If this bulb is burned out, chances are the alternator won't work. The car may start, but as we learned, it's just a matter of time before the battery drains and the electrical system fails.
As a rule, a three-phase alternator can operate with only one of the stator windings operational, although it's only one-third as efficient. To test whether your car had an issue with one of its stator windings, you'd need to use a voltmeter to check the voltage. You can buy a basic voltmeter at an electronics store. This is called a load test. Connect the red lead or wire to the positive terminal and the black to the negative.
With no accessories on, start the car and raise the RPM to around 1, The voltage should register around 14 volts.
Anything less than 12 may indicate a problem. Next, turn on the headlights, air conditioner, radio and anything else that draws electrical power. The alternator serves a very important purpose in your vehicle. Unfortunately, the battery is not powerful enough to provide the proper amount of electricity that these components need. 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. The typical lifespan of a new alternator should be between 5 and 8 years.
If it has been that long and you have electrical issues, then your alternator may simply be 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. Environments that are usually hot will drain the battery power quicker, so it may be 2 years for you in these cases. Related: Symptoms of a Bad Alternator.
Newer vehicles are built with computer systems in them such as the ECU. These systems are what manage virtually every component of the vehicle, including the alternator. 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. One way to test whether the issue is battery- or alternator-related is to jumpstart the car.
If you jumpstart your car and it stays running, your battery may need replacing soon. As previously mentioned, trouble starting your engine might mean that your alternator is failing to charge the battery. This means that when you turn the key in the ignition, all you'll hear is a clicking sound instead of the purr of your engine.
Cars make a ton of odd sounds — some are harmless while others can indicate serious mechanical problems. If you ever hear growling or whining noises coming from under the hood, you could have alternator problems, which should be checked out by a professional ASAP.
You may also hear this sound if the bearings that spin the rotor shaft are going bad. A foul odor of burning rubber or wires could indicate that parts of your alternator are starting to wear out.
Similarly, if your alternator is being overworked or if it has frayed or damaged wires, you may smell a burning odor comparable to an electrical fire. An overworked alternator tries to push too much electricity through its wires, causing them to heat up unsafely.
Damaged wires also create resistance to the flow of electricity, causing the wires to heat up and emit a foul odor. However, the battery warning light indicates that there could be a problem within the wider electrical system of your car, including the alternator.
Alternators are designed to work at a specific voltage, typically between If your alternator is failing, its voltage may drop below capacity, causing the battery warning light to appear on your dash.
Similarly, the battery light will also appear if the alternator is exceeding its voltage limit, depending on how much stress it is under.
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