When it comes to your vehicle, the alternator is a pivotal piece of machinery. The alternator re-cycles the power your car battery uses while driving, restoring the power it has lost while supplying the engine management, climate, entertainment and host of other systems with the juice they need to run properly.

It takes a lot of battery power to get – and keep – your vehicle running. So much power that if not for the alternator, the battery’s power reserve would not last. Your vehicle’s electrical system depends on an optimally running alternator. When the alternator malfunctions or stops working altogether, it can mean expensive repairs, inconvenience or a break down.

Alternator Warning Signs

Dim lights

The alternator is part of the electrical system of your vehicle. Its key role is to provide power to operate the starter, ignition and all of the electronic accessories in your car. If the alternator starts to die, you might notice your headlights and/or dashboard lights beginning to dim. Once the dash light or headlights dim, it is a clear indication of potential alternator malfunction. A waning alternator may cause other electronic accessories such as power windows and/or power seats to operate a more slowly than usual.

Warning light

Most modern cars have a dashboard warning light that alerts you when the alternator is on the fritz. Usually, the light will be shaped like a battery, though, some might say ALT (for alternator) or GEN (for generator). This light may only trigger if you are using multiple electrical components. It is generally contingent on how much life your vehicle’s alternator has left and how much electricity your vehicle is using.

Weak or dead battery

A car battery, by definition, has a finite life and will not last forever. As good as an alternator is at replenishing your car battery; it can only recharge it to the point that it has a decent amount of life left in it and is able to accept a charge. If the battery is really weak or dead, the alternator cannot bring it back to life. To troubleshoot whether the issue is the alternator or the battery, just charge the battery and restart the vehicle. If the battery is weak or dead, the car will continue to run but the lights will again become dim after a short time, indicating a problem with the charging system. If the vehicle has difficulty starting after the battery is fully charged, the problem likely is with the alternator.

Weird smells

An alternator works in conjunction with a system of belts. If a belt is not turning freely, the excess friction will cause the belt to heat up, which produces a burning rubber smell. If you catch a whiff of a smell similar to that of an electrical fire, this could indicate that the belt is slipping on the alternator pulley, causing poor alternator output. Tightening the belt often does the trick. If the situation arises where tightening your belt does not fix the strange smell and alternator output, we recommend having your alternator evaluated by a professional.

Odd sounds

There are many different parts that spin inside your vehicle’s alternator to produce electrical current. If one of these parts becomes worn or breaks, this could cause a grinding or whining noise. Specifically, worn out bearings inside the alternator have been known to cause this type of noise. If the bushings that the alternator is mounted on have gone bad, a noise will be produced. Alternators are normally replaced as an assembly.

Visual cues

If you are experiencing problems with the electrical system, the alternator itself might be fine because the problem could be with one of the belts connected to the alternator. By doing a visual inspection of the engine compartment, you can determine if a belt is too loose or too tight. If a belt is cracked or worn, you should be able to spot that as well.

Source: http://autofactorng..com.ng/2016/07/how-to-know-your-car-alternator-is.html

Useful piece

Nice one

I need to bookmark this

HNM

Happy new month

If I leave my battery connected to its + - terminals in the car for a long period of time, the battery dies off, is this also as a result of a faulty alternator?

Informative and
Educative!!!

B

Nice... Thanks for the info

shey e go work for keke napep?

Nice one!

Nice one.

ayoolanr:
B

B for bullcrap

If the vehicle has difficulty starting after the battery is fully charged, the problem likely is with the alternator.

this doesn't sound right...
isn't the kick starter or whatever it's called responsible for starting the engine? and the alternator only starts working when the engine is working and rotation has begun?

Happy new month

If I leave my battery connected to its + - terminals in the car for a long period of time, the battery dies off, is this also as a result of a faulty alternator?


I think there's a short circuit somewhere within ur electrical system
contact your electro

Good info. But at times you get one of those signs you listed simply because the alternator head is not well fixed.

Op the only way of knowing scientifically if the alternator is dead is by measuring the current or voltage via a voltmeter...... That's the surest way. Stop spreading guess works.

mrseamy:
Happy new month

If I leave my battery connected to its + - terminals in the car for a long period of time, the battery dies off, is this also as a result of a faulty alternator?


I think there's a short circuit somewhere within ur electrical system
contact your electro

How long is long?

Ok.. .let me save this page.

Ok.. .let me save this page. Still trekking tins for me.
With my wonderful UTC (Ukwu Transport Company)

This is very informative. Let me add a little trick my mechanic taught me.

Just take a spanner or any other metallic object close to the alternator. If the object is magnetized, then the device is still active.

Alternator.... No compromise! It must be good or good if you need to drive.

Messing around with the alternator could potentially damage electronic components on your car or even cause a fire. If you notice any of the above listed symptoms, just look for a competent auto electrician to diagnose it properly.

OlajumokeBread:
Buhari's alternator failed

Early morning your brain didn't think of any good thing, Na President Bihari. When you fail in any endeavour I see you casting blames on the innocent old man who isn't concerned about your existence.
Better grow up, start thinking of better things and stop the hatered you have on that man.
Cheers!

autodoctor:
JJG

you too? Booking space? Lwkm

almost bought a new battery cos of a fault in my alternator . thank God kabiru was smart enough to diagnose the problem before buying the battery

How i wish got dis info earlier. Beta late dan never. Thanks op

cnsprince76:
This is very informative. Let me add a little trick my mechanic taught me.

Just take a spanner or any other metallic object close to the alternator. If the object is magnetized, then the device is still active.

You may be right but it could also be very dangerous with a high risk of serious injury if the spanner gets caught in the fast moving belt of the engine as you can only do this while the engine is running.

PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS METHOD.

cnsprince76:
This is very informative. Let me add a little trick my mechanic taught me.

Just take a spanner or any other metallic object close to the alternator. If the object is magnetized, then the device is still active.

kazeem's method

kingreign:



you too? Booking space? Lwkm

Pls dont laff o. I have only two hands.