What happens if your alternator is not working?
The alternator runs when the car is running. If the alternator isn’t working, the battery will not only drain when you start the car, but when you drive the car. It would be a pretty big issue if you were driving along and your battery totally died, as you’d need your battery charged again.
Can a car battery be drained by an alternator?
While you might initially think that any problems with electrical things like lights or radio not working are directly related to the battery, the alternator is actually where most of the power in your vehicle comes from. Consider that if you were to leave the lights of your car on overnight by the next day your battery might be drained completely.
How long can a battery last without an alternator?
A good alternator and can last well over a decade, sometimes as long as 15 to 20 years. However, if an alternator does fail on you then you’ll know it fairly quickly as your electrical systems will fail soon afterwards. The charge in your battery does not last long without the alternator there to keep it running properly.
What happens to the battery in an auto?
An auto battery is designed to supply a huge current to operate a starter motor and then to be recharged by an alternator almost immediately. Leaving it other than fully charged for any length of time will degrade the battery.
Can a battery be replaced with a new alternator?
A new alternator has to work harder to keep a marginal battery in shape, and this can place it under unwanted stress. It’s common, when in doubt, that a new battery would be recommended along with an alternator replacement. If that isn’t done it’s still best that the battery should be fully charged before a new alternator is installed.
What happens when an alternator has an electrical problem?
After the engine starts (thanks to the high voltage provided by the battery), the alternator provides the electricity required to power the car’s many electrical functions, including the lights and radio, the spark, charging the battery, and others. What Happens When Your Car Has an Electrical Problem?
How much does it cost to test battery and alternator?
If a vehicle starts slow or has a dead battery, it’s a normal thing to have a charging system check done which tests the battery and the alternator to see which one is the problem. Typically, this is about a quarter-hour labor charge; $15 to $25 in most places. Many parts stores are also able to test batteries and alternators often at no charge.
What should my alternator voltage be at rest?
To use a multimeter for testing, set the knob to a number greater than 15 on the DCV (DC volts) section. A fully charged battery at rest should measure between 12.6 and 13.2 volts. With the engine running, the alternator must exceed that voltage at the battery.