Why does my car battery keep dying but alternator is good?
Because of age, the metals inside the battery have oxidized and are corroded, resulting in my battery not charging properly even with a good alternator. As a result, the level of charge of the battery has dropped considerably that it is no longer capable of starting the car.
Is the alternator the only thing that powers the car?
Many people assume that the car’s battery is the only thing that powers all electrical components in the car. But, this is not true. The alternator plays a vital role in supplying power to the car’s AC, recharging the battery and ignition.
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.
How can I tell if I have an alternator problem?
To differentiate an alternator problem from the battery, you will need to use a voltmeter to check for voltage. First, turn off the engine and check the battery voltage. A fully charged battery should have a reading of 12.65 volts. Next, turn on the engine and recheck the voltage. You should have a reading of 13.5 to 14.5 volts.
When an alternator goes bad does it ruin the battery?
If an alternator goes bad, it certainly can kill a battery. Car batteries don’t like being run all the way down. If you have a fairly new battery, you can usually get away with it once, maybe twice. If the alternator was ailing for a while, the battery may have been low for a long time, which also isn’t good for a battery.
Will a car with a bad alternator start with a new battery?
A bad alternator can prevent a car from starting because it did not charge the battery when the car was running. However, even if you have a dead battery because of the alternator, you can still jump-start the car using the following method.
Can a dead battery damage an alternator?
You can damage an alternator by charging a dead battery with it. You have to remember, alternators are intended to maintain a charge on a good battery. If this weren’t true, the people who make battery chargers would be out of business.
What are signs of needing a new alternator?
- Warning Light. Many automobiles have a battery or alternator warning light on the dashboard.
- Load Test. Conducting a load test will indicate whether or not your alternator needs to be replaced.
- Voltmeter Test. You can test your charging system with a voltmeter.
- Other Signs.