What happens if you get water in your alternator?
If you submerge the alternator, it will work. The electrical components of your alternator are sealed. The brushes then get damaged by the electrical arc and wear out. Repeated exposure to water can also cause these brushes to rust which can cause them to come out of contact with the slip rings.
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.
What should I do if my alternator keeps dying?
The alternator is essentially a generator and it keeps your battery charged while supplying additional electrical power for the other systems in the vehicle. If you have a new alternator and your battery keeps dying on you, then there’s definitely a problem that you’re going to need to look into.
Why is the battery light on but the alternator is charging?
1 Check for Corrosion. In some car models, the fumes from the regular functions lead to corrosion to collect on the battery terminals. 2 Clean the Car Battery Terminals. If you notice some corrosion or grime around the battery terminals, it might be the reason why the car battery light is still on. 3 Tighten the Battery Clamps. …
How can I tell if my alternator is working or not?
If you’re not 100% sure, you can use a multimeter, or a voltmeter, to check the current coming from your battery. Attach the positive lead to the positive battery terminal, that’s the red one, and then the negative leave it to the black terminal. With the engine off you should be getting a reading of 12.5 volts on your multimeter.
What should I use to clean my alternator?
Water is recommended over petroleum-based engine degreasers when it comes to cleaning your alternator. Disconnect the battery so you don’t shock yourself. Get a bucket with warm water and a bit of dish soap like dawn. Mix a little bit into the water.
What happens if you wash your alternator with water?
You certainly can clean your alternator with water if you don’t pressure wash it directly. Pressure washing your engine bay can cause damage to your seals and we don’t want that as we’ll talk about in a second, that’s not what you want to do.
1 Check for Corrosion. In some car models, the fumes from the regular functions lead to corrosion to collect on the battery terminals. 2 Clean the Car Battery Terminals. If you notice some corrosion or grime around the battery terminals, it might be the reason why the car battery light is still on. 3 Tighten the Battery Clamps.
Is it possible to waterproof an alternator in a car?
Car alternators are NOT waterproof. Considering how the alternator is built to function, it is almost impossible to waterproof it. Most alternators are air-cooled, with air being drawn through the alternator by an internal fan which is attached to the drive end of the alternator shaft.