What would cause my alternator to keep going bad?
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.
Why does my alternator work sometimes?
If you are getting more than 2 volts above base voltage, most likely your alternator is over-charging the battery or the battery is faulty. Other potential problems are a faulty voltage regulator or a problem in the charging system wiring.
What could keep killing my alternator?
“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 a bad battery cause an alternator to overcharge?
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. This surge disrupts the wiring in the alternator, causing an overcharging condition.
When to take alternator out of Mercury Capri?
Perrya shares his experience working on his own Mercury Capri. The arrows indicate items that need to be removed and disconnected. Sooner or later, the owner of a 1991–94 Mercury Capri will experience one of several signs that the alternator is going bad.
What causes an alternator belt to go bad?
The problem is that the alternator belt and pulleys are not too durable, which means they can easily break. Pulleys will typically last for a long time before they eventually get damaged from old age.
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 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.
What happens when an alternator goes bad in a car?
With the motor running, and the alternator putting out power, the battery doesn’t have much to do. There are only a few ways an alternator can go bad, but they tend to happen suddenly without a lot of warning.
Perrya shares his experience working on his own Mercury Capri. The arrows indicate items that need to be removed and disconnected. Sooner or later, the owner of a 1991–94 Mercury Capri will experience one of several signs that the alternator is going bad.
What causes an alternator fuse to blow out?
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 where the alternator fuse is in your car and check to see if it is blown.
How often does an alternator need to be replaced?
The typical lifespan of a new alternator should be between 5 and 8 years. If it has been that long and you have electrical issues, then your alternator may simply be worn out and needs to be replaced. If you think it could be your battery that is at fault, the typical lifespan of a battery is between 2 and 5 years.