Diyvehiclerepair
- What can cause a new alternator to go bad?
- What keeps killing my alternator?
- Can a brand new alternator be bad?
- Can a bad ground cause alternator failure?
- Can an alternator work intermittently?
- Can a bad ground cause an alternator to overcharge?
- Can a bad ECM cause alternator problems?
- Why is my brand new alternator not charging my battery?
- Why does my car keep dying with a new battery and alternator?
- Can a bad battery cause alternator to have low voltage?
- What is the cause of low voltage output from alternator?
- Can an alternator short to ground?
- Can an alternator partially fail?
- What happens when a voltage regulator goes bad?
What can cause a new alternator to go bad?
Most of the time, alternators fail as a result of age or use. However, some other factors can cause an alternator to fail prematurely. Fluid leaking on the car alternator can commonly lead to failure. Often, engine oil or power steering fluid can work its way into the alternator and cause it to malfunction or fail.
What keeps killing my alternator?
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 brand new alternator be bad?
It can also damage the battery, even if it's new. Alternators help to regulate the voltage of the car's electrical system. A bad alternator will cause your battery to die quickly, and it will be unable to hold a charge for as long.
Can a bad ground cause alternator failure?
Poor ground connections are an often-overlooked cause of low charging output and alternator failure. ... Voltage drops on the positive side of the charging circuit can cause undercharging.
Can an alternator work intermittently?
The most common alternator failure is the glaring red “bat” light indicating a catastrophic alternator failure. ... A related alternator failure is the battery warning light illuminating on a random or intermittent basis because the alternator's carbon brushes are sticking in their holders or are worn out.
Can a bad ground cause an alternator to overcharge?
A poor ground can result in overcharging and other nutty electrical problems.
Can a bad ECM cause alternator problems?
If the vehicle requires more electricity, then it will alert the alternator that more electricity needs to be generated. Because the ECM is in constant communication with the alternator,if you have a bad ECM and the check engine light is not illuminated then it can greatly impact the way the charging system operates.
Why is my brand new alternator not charging my battery?
The most common reason an alternator is not charging the battery is due to worn carbon brushes or a damaged alternator itself. It can also be caused by a blown fuse or bad wirings. If your serpentine belt snapped off, the alternator will, of course not charge then either.
Why does my car keep dying with a new battery and alternator?
Some of the most common reasons for a car battery to die repeatedly include loose or corroded battery connections, persistent electrical drains, charging problems, constantly demanding more power than the alternator can provide, and even extreme weather.
Can a bad battery cause alternator to have low voltage?
To bring it all together, when a car has a weak battery that battery will want lots of current. The current demand of the battery lowers the system voltage so the voltage regulator compensates by sending more current through the rotor. At idle, the alternator is incapable of making the needed current.
What is the cause of low voltage output from alternator?
Poor ground connections are a cause of low charging output. There are positive and negative battery cable connections, the BAT+ power connection, and the engine ground strap. Overcharging can be caused by voltage dropping on the negative side.
Can an alternator short to ground?
As youngfarmer says, an alternator has a rectifier in it and they can short so the alternator becomes a high amperage dead short from the main output wire to ground.
Can an alternator partially fail?
The charging output of the alternator drops when diodes fail. If only one or two diodes have failed, the alternator may still produce enough current to meet the vehicle's electrical needs, but it may not be enough to keep up with higher loads or keep the battery fully charged.
What happens when a voltage regulator goes bad?
A bad voltage regulator can severely damage your car battery, causing it to stop working. ... The voltage regulator ensures that steady charging voltage and power are delivered to the vehicle battery and other electronic components. When you've got a burned-out voltage regulator, your battery may: Not receive enough charge.
