What keeps killing my alternator?

What keeps killing my alternator?

Alternators put out alternating current, and the battery needs direct current to charge, so there is a voltage rectifier that converts it, and it can suddenly go bad, too. Dust and dirt can get into the alternator, and over time cause shorts or wear on the brushes.

What causes alternator to burn out?

Bad diodes are a common cause of alternator failure. Normal driving and charging loads won’t burn out the diodes, but infrequent driving and short trip nighttime driving with lights and other accessories on can increase charging loads and significantly shorten their life.

What relay controls the alternator?

An alternator relay can be set up to divert power from a starting battery to another DC power source, sometimes called a house battery. This set up is common on RVs. On some cars and trucks, the alternator relay switches power to the alternator only when another circuit, like the ignition circuit, is live.

What drains an alternator?

Faulty Charging Many cars power their lights, radio, and other systems from the alternator, which can make the battery drain worse if there’s a charging problem. The alternator may have loose belts or worn-out tensioners that keep it from working properly.

What fuse is for the alternator?

There are 2 fuses for the alternator. One is usually a fusable link (wire) for connecting the stator diodes to the battery, and a lower value fuse (10 to 30 amp) for protecting the field (rotor).

What are the symptoms of an overcharging alternator?

Symptoms of Your Car Alternator Overcharging:

• Car Battery Voltage Gauge Reading is High. You notice a high voltage reading on your cars vehicle’s dashboard.
• Car Battery Gets Hot When Charging.
• Your Headlights Burn Out Quickly.
• Your Car Battery is Bulging on Sides.

How do I test to see if my alternator is bad?

An illuminated dashboard light can indicate a problem with an automobile charging system. However, a very simple way to check if the alternator is working is to run the car and disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. If the vehicle stops running, then you probably have a bad alternator.

Can a bad fuse cause an alternator to go bad?

Bad Fuse – Some vehicles use fuses to keep the alternator functional. These fuses blow out after a while or when there is a power surge. In these cases, your alternator would fail and your battery would not charge. If you have a bad alternator, look in the owner’s manual to see if there is a fuse in your car.

Why is my alternator not working in my car?

If you don’t see any of the other problems on this list being present in your vehicle, then check the wiring of the alternator because that may be the reason for the alternator not working. Vehicles use fuses to keep the alternator functional.

What happens if you have a short to ground alternator?

Alternators don’t do well with any kind of short to ground. More so than in the past, your alternator will slowly fail as the diodes fail. Your battery is being drained and your alternator (new or replaced) is working overtime to charge the battery while the diodes are being damaged by the draw in the window circuit.

How old should an alternator be before it goes bad?

But if you have a newer battery and you’re still having these electrical problems, then it’s likely the alternator that is at fault. Below are five common causes for an alternator to go bad. This one’s pretty obvious. The typical lifespan of a new alternator should be between 5 and 8 years.