What does an alternator pulley do?
The function of the overrunning alternator pulley is to decouple the generator from the rotational irregularity of the crankshaft of an internal combustion engine. The alternator mass and their influences are decoupled from the accessory drive.
Why is the pulley on my alternator not turning?
An alternator with worn bearings will likely produce an insufficient charge to operate the engine and charge the battery. To test for worn bearings, remove the belt and turn the pulley by hand. If noises are heard or the pulley does not turn smoothly, the bearings are worn and the alternator should be replaced.
What happens when the alternator goes bad on a Nissan Altima?
If your Altima’s alternator starts to have bearings that fail, it’ll begin to make some very obnoxious noises. If the serpentine belt has gone bad, it can make some noises too, but it won’t sound metallic like the bearings going bad would.
What should I do if my alternator is squealing?
To test for worn bearings, remove the belt and turn the pulley by hand. If noises are heard or the pulley does not turn smoothly, the bearings are worn and the alternator should be replaced.
Can a bad serpentine belt cause an alternator to fail?
It’s worth noting that a bad serpentine belt can cause the alternator to stop charging effectively. It’s pretty easy to tell if one is bad. It’ll look dry rotted. If it’s been slipping a lot it’ll have a glossy shine to it. You’ll have probably heard it squeal when you start the engine. They typically don’t fail quietly.
How do you replace an alternator pulley on a car?
How to replace an alternator pulley. Replacing the alternator pulley involves counter-holding the alternator shaft while loosening the pulley securing hut. This typically requires a special alternator pulley bit set which can vary between models.
Can a belt wrap completely around an alternator?
If the belt were to wrap completely around the pulley that would be 100% belt wrap. having 100% belt wrap completely around the alternator would be impossible but the greater the belt wrap the longer belt and pulley life can be expected. Alternators take quite a bit of power to run so good belt contact with the pulley is very important.
What happens when your serpentine belt pulley fails?
Outside of physically testing the alternator there are some things to watch out for that can signal the alternator pulley has failed. First, if your serpentine belt tensioner has failed, it is likely that the alternator pulley is faulty as well. Typically the failed pulley is the cause of the tensioner failure.
What happens if I change the pulley size on my lternator?
Caution must be noted: Changing the pulley size on your a lternator may void the manufacturers warranty. Spinning your Alternator faster will increase brush and bearing wear.