Do you have to replace an overcharging alternator?
If your battery keeps overcharging then it’s the alternator’s problem, if it’s a stock alternator, it should be eligible for the manufacturer’s usual 5 year warranty. If it’s aftermarket, then it’s the wrong one.
What happens when an alternator overcharges the battery?
Battery. Alternators that overcharge will typically produce excess voltage to the battery, making the battery case swell up, become very hot and lose its electrolyte through boiling. Improperly jump-starting the vehicle can send a surge through the battery that destroys one or more cells in the battery or shorts it out.
Is the alternator on my Buick overcharging?
I have a 2006 Buick LaCrosse with the 3.8 L motor. Last week I found out that the alternator was overcharging (charging at around 15.5-15.7 volts.) The car has 72000 miles on it.
What should the voltage of an alternator be?
You will need a tester for that, start the car, unplug the battery and measure the voltage between the points, if your battery is 12V, the alternator should deliver between 13.5 and 14 Volts.
Can you drive a car with a faulty alternator?
Faulty diodes can easily be replaced, but you will need to dismantle the alternator. It is impossible to drive the car with a faulty alternator. While it is the work of the battery to power the electrical components in the car, it cannot do this alone.
What issues could an overcharging alternator cause?
An overcharging alternator can lead to headlights and tail lights prematurely blowing out alone or in tandem. Other burnout symptoms of an overcharging alternator are repeated blown fuses, dash and interior lights blowing out and lights becoming extremely bright when engine speed increases.
What causes an alternator to over charge?
What causes an Alternator to Overcharge? Step One. Battery – Alternators that overcharge will typically produce excess voltage to the battery, making the battery case swell up, become very hot and lose its electrolyte through boiling. Step Two. Step Three. Step Four. Step Five.
What happens if my alternator overcharges?
An overcharging alternator will cause the voltmeter on the vehicle’s dash to read an overly high voltage that may or may not vary with engine speed. Normal readings should be high upon start-up, then settle into the normal range. An overcharging alternator, however, will cause the meter to remain in the high position after initial start-up.
Why is the alternator not charging?
– Broken Belt or Pulley. The belt and pulley produce the mechanical power which gets converted into electrical energy by the alternator. Your belt can easily break if it gets stretched out too much, causing it to snap apart. The pulley can also get damaged after a while. In either case, the alternator will no longer be able…