One of the signs of a bad alternator is that it has trouble keeping your car’s battery charged, so that you may notice a dead battery. However, a dead or dying battery can also be caused by other factors, like headlights left on, an engine running too hot, or frequent short trips that don’t allow the alternator to recharge the battery. So it’s important to determine if your battery is genuinely at fault before replacing it.
To do this, use a hydrometer or voltmeter to test the state of charge of your battery and the voltage your alternator produces. When running with all accessories off, a fully charged 12-volt battery should read 13 volts or higher on a volt meter. If you see something lower than 13 volts on the meter while running, it could be another symptom of alternator problems and indicative of a defective charging system if your vehicle has no electrical draw (lights, radio) while running with all accessories off.
A bad alternator also can damage other components in your car. For example, your headlights may be dimmer than usual, or won’t turn on at all. In some cases, a failing alternator can put a strain on the engine and reduce power output. These issues are dangerous to have while driving because they reduce visibility and make it harder to see other cars or pedestrians. A faulty alternator can also cause car batteries to drain out of power quickly which could leave you stranded in less than ideal situations.
The Alternator is a key component of your vehicle’s electrical system. If it fails, you can have any number of electrical problems, including:
When the alternator dies completely, you will not be able to start or run your car. Basically, your vehicle won’t function at all. If this occurs while you are driving, your car will break down immediately and will not restart (except for the rare case where an emergency-charged battery has been installed). This is probably one of the most obvious problems with an alternator—you will simply not be able to drive your vehicle normally if it fails suddenly.
The good news is that the advent of mass production has made replacement alternators affordable, and they’re usually simple to install. While you can take your car to a mechanic and have them do it for you, if you want to save some money or just learn how to repair your own car, installing an alternator yourself is not too difficult.
Costs will vary depending on the make of vehicle and where you get the part from, but a new alternator should cost between $200-$400.
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