Your battery should be one of the first things on your checklist after installing a new car alternator. Any installation guide will say that you need to disconnect the battery before installing the new alternator. So, at the very least, you need to make sure that you reconnect it.
The serpentine belt is often available as a package to deal with any tensioners and idlers that you require. It's prudent to replace them all at the same time for a small additional cost to the alternator replacement bill.
If your alternator fails when you're far from home, you can typically drive up to 200 miles on battery power alone. That's assuming your battery is in good shape and fully charged. Of course, it's best to get the alternator repaired or replaced as soon as you can.
Start up and run vehicle just above idle, let it run about 10 minutes with minimal electrical load, slowly warming up the alternator and seating the brushes. Then shut the vehicle off and let the alternator cool for about 15 minutes. Run vehicle again for another 10 to 15 minutes, Turn on heater/AC blower etc.
It is possible that the problems that you have been experiencing with the bad alternators have damaged the battery causing it to be weak. This would make the Battery Light come on. It is also possible that there is a problem with the fusible link or the alternator fuse for the charging system.
Generally, if you can keep your engine RPM up, your alternator will charge your battery at a faster rate. If you are driving on a motorway, you should be able to charge your car battery in 30 minutes. If you are driving in the city, it may take an hour or more.
Contrary to its purpose, an alternator can drain a battery. It's rare, but it's possible. A draw on the battery only occurs if there's a problem with either a component in the alternator itself or connections to it.
Defective charging system - A car battery drains quickly if something called the alternator on your charging system fails to push out enough voltage, ideally between 13.5 - 14.5 volts. In this case, the battery will continue to drain even while the car is running.
If your car starts but stalls when you're underway, your battery is probably not being recharged due to a faulty alternator. A squealing sound coming from the engine that gets louder when drains like the heater or sound system are on may be your alternator bearings.
Replacing the alternator is usually a straightforward job, requiring very little mechanical experience and only common tools. On the difficulty scale, it's usually down there with changing your own oil or a serpentine belt; it's a great beginner maintenance task.
Improvements to alternator efficiency can reduce the amount of power drawn from the engine and thus lead to improved fuel consumption. Remy International Inc. Electrical power on a vehicle is not free. It comes as a direct result of consuming fuel within the engine to drive the alternator.
Alternators can average anywhere from $100 to $350, depending on the model. In most cases, costs will average between $350−400 for the alternator replacement if no other parts need to be changed. Add another $20 to $50 to your bill if the serpentine belt has to be replaced as well.
That said, an alternator can take time to fail or can stop working suddenly. Usually, people recognize the whining sound that comes from a bad alternator and get it fixed before it breaks down completely.
If your alternator goes out – your car isn't going anywhere fast. Because your alternator charges your car's battery, without it, you won't be able to start your car, which means you'll need a tow to the mechanic. When you have a dead alternator, your battery will also die during normal use.
The simple answer to this question is yes, your car's battery will start to charge as long as your engine is running. As long as the electrical systems aren't draining the battery quicker than the alternator is charging it, it is technically possible to completely charge your battery using this method.
It's this rotation that, at speed, creates the electrical charge needed to keep the battery topped up. However, over time, the bearings that hold this mechanism in place can fail, and when they do, the alternator is in need of replacement or rebuild.
Most alternators will last between 80,000 and 150,000 miles — or about seven years. However, your driving habits and the area where you live could wear it out prematurely.
Your car's battery holds a charge, but the alternator works to recharge it while the vehicle is on. That's why you can drive all day long without a problem but leaving the lights on overnight will drain the battery. If the alternator begins to fail, the battery will no longer recharge while the engine is running.
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.
Age and use-related wear is often the reason behind a dying alternator. Engine oil or power steering fluid leaking onto the car alternator can lead to its failure. Prolonged idling while using multiple electrical accessories can prematurely wear the alternator.
Unless you've just gotten religion about public transportation or enjoy walking, you should consider getting your alternator fixed, repaired, or replaced. A car cannot function for long without an alternator because the engine's ignition system will stop working once the battery is drained.
Replacing an alternator will take a professional about two hours. However, that doesn't mean your car will only be at the shop for two hours—there may be a wait before a mechanic can address your ride. Plus, if the shop needs to get parts delivered, it will take even longer.
You have a new alternator, so if your battery is bad, it won't hold the charge from the alternator. The problem could still be a defective alternator or improper installation. A fuse could also be the cause. If you still have power (headlights still work) the problem is in the fuel or ignition system.