An alternator is an electrical generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy in the form of alternating current.
In principle, any AC electrical generator can be called an alternator, but usually, the term refers to small rotating machines driven by automotive and other internal combustion engines.
How Much Does Alternator Cost In South Africa
What are signs of a bad alternator?
Car Won’t Start. A dead battery almost always lies behind a car that won’t start.
Engine Stalling. A dead alternator almost always leads to a car that won’t start.
Electrical Issues. A dying alternator can lead to a wide range of other electrical issues.
Unusual Sounds.
Is it worth replacing an alternator?
It’s usually a better idea to replace the alternator entirely if it is malfunctioning.
While new ones can be spendy, they are usually a better choice than remanufactured or rebuilt options. Those probably won’t last as long as a new one since the mechanical parts have miles on them already.
How do you tell if it’s your alternator or your battery?
If your engine won’t turn over or takes far longer than usual, it’s time to grab the jumper cables and attempt a jump-start.
If your engine starts and stays running but won’t start again later, it’s likely a battery problem. If your vehicle immediately stalls, it’s probably a bad alternator.
Will a bad alternator drain a battery?
A corroded or defective alternator diode will faultily continue charging the circuit even when the car is off. This, in turn, will drain your car battery and cause the car not to start.
Can a car start with a bad alternator?
When the alternator is failing, there might not be enough power in the spark plugs to keep the engine alive, which can cause it to stall for no reason while running, or to have trouble starting. Ignore this symptom, and your car eventually won’t start at all.
What is the role of the alternator?
The alternator’s primary purpose is to keep the battery charged when the vehicle is running, but it also helps the battery keep the electrical components in your vehicle charged, which may include the windshield wipers, headlights, and more.