What can cause a brand new alternator to go bad?

“your car needed a new alternator, and this battery cable needed to be replaced also.” Running in full charge mode continuously can kill an alternator, so trying to have your new alternator try and charge your dead battery can result in immediate alternator failure.

Can an alternator go bad in a new car?

Alternators can typically last a long time, about seven years or 100,000 to 150,000 miles. There are a few issues that could make the alternator go bad, such as jump-starting the car the wrong way or installing an accessory that overloads it.

Can a bad alternator cause other problems?

3. Other electrical failures. When the alternator is going bad, other systems that are powered by the alternator may start to act up. These can include the power windows, power locks, dashboard lights, air conditioning, even your car radio.

How long should a new alternator last?

The average longevity of an alternator is seven years or about 150,000 miles. Several factors can impact the lifespan of your alternator, including the quality of the part, the overall condition of the vehicle, and how many electronics are being used.

What should I do if my alternator does not work?

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 where the alternator fuse is in your car and check to see if it is blown. Alternators use the mechanical power of a belt and pulley to generate the electrical energy for the vehicle.

Can a bad car battery cause an alternator to not charge?

In theory a car can run only with the alternator charge, but this can cause heavy voltage spikes and other strange symptoms so this means that a bad car battery can cause an alternator to not charge also. Cars are increasingly coming with modern electronics.

What happens when the alternator of a car is dead?

The alternator and the car’s battery work hand in hand. A good battery should give you service for the next five years before its lifespan ends. If your battery is dead, then it will not give power to the car’s alternator. The alternator normally lasts longer than the battery.

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.

Can a bad battery cause an alternator to over charge?

Make sure that all the connections to the alternator, remote voltage regulator (if applicable) and battery are clean, tight and in good condition. Check your battery or have it tested at your local auto parts store. A bad battery cell can cause the alternator to over-charge the good battery cells.

When is it time for a new alternator?

If you notice any of the warning signs of a bad battery (a dashboard warning light or dimming headlights) have the problem addressed right away. The issue may be the alternator, not the battery itself. If you do need to replace the alternator, try and spring for a new one—not a “remanufactured” one.

What causes an alternator to stop working on a car?

Once the alternator stops working, so do all of the electrical systems required to keep a car going. Other problems can also cause a car to not start. It could be a bad starter, corroded cables, or a broken connection somewhere between the battery and starter.

How to diagnose an alternator or electrical problem?

Diagnosing alternator problems can be a bit tricky because the electrical system in a car comes from two places, the battery and the alternator. I’ll give you a little background so you can understand what both systems do. The battery has one primary function, which is to start the car.