Why is my alternator not getting power?
This means that you could have a weak alternator, or a poor connection at the battery terminals. You could also have a loose drive belt, which is what supplies power to the alternator itself. If the drive belt is loose or not working properly, the alternator will not charge.
Why does my car have no power when I turn the key?
If nothing happens when you turn the ignition key to the “Start” position, it means that the starter motor doesn’t turn over the engine. Most commonly this could be caused by a dead battery; read above How to check the battery. The starter solenoid control wire could have a bad connection.
Can a dead battery mess up the alternator?
A “weak” battery can’t consume much of a charge either so it won’t be much of a load on the alternator. So, no, a weak battery won’t hurt your alternator.
What to do when your alternator stops working on your car?
After running the motor for a while, turn the car off. If you can’t get it to restart, this is a sign the alternator is doing its job of keeping the battery working while the motor is running, but the battery isn’t retaining the charge when the alternator has stopped. The car battery could be old.
How long does an alternator last in a car?
On average, car batteries last between 2 and 5 years. Eventually, the level of battery charge diminishes to the point where, no matter how much power the alternator gives to it, the battery can’t hold enough power to start the car.
When to know if your alternator or battery is dead?
If the engine starts but dies immediately, your alternator probably isn’t keeping your battery charged. If a jump starts and keeps your car running, but the car can’t start again off of its own power, a dead battery is likely your answer.
What happens if the alternator doesn’t charge the battery?
Finally, the alternator completes this cycle by charging the battery. Using the process of elimination, find the culprit by bypassing the battery’s role and jump-starting your car. If the engine starts but dies immediately, your alternator probably isn’t keeping your battery charged.