The alternator is a car component that supplies continuous charges to the car battery. Due to the power it provides, the electrical systems and computers of a car can function. Its function is to keep the electrical system running. When the battery starts the motor engine, the alternator makes it run. If the alternator isn’t functional, the car will run until the battery runs out of charge and then stalls.
So, how long will a car run without an alternator? You can run a vehicle on battery alone for around 5-30 minutes if the battery doesn’t have a full charge. But if the battery has a full charge, the car can run more time than this. However, the time depends on the model of the vehicle; for old models, the vehicle can run up to 50 miles.
Is it Possible to Drive with a Dead Alternator?
Yes, it’s possible to run a car on a dead alternator, though there are many risks involved. Driving with a dead alternator means the battery is not charging, and it has to supply power to other electrical devices in the car. The other devices and the engine draw power from the battery, which has insufficient charge, draining it.
To increase more running time for the vehicles, you can try the following tips;
- Turn off all the electrical devices in your car like the radio, air conditioner, heater, lights, and windshield wipers.
- Consider not driving in areas likely to have congestion. The stop-and-go traffic will drain your battery faster.
Check this too: How to Test an Alternator Diode
Risks of Driving with a Dead Alternator
There are so many risks that can arise when you run a car without an alternator belt. They include;
- Destroy your battery– draining your battery isn’t the best thing to do. Your alternator should always recharge it to maintain a consistent charge on your battery. When you keep draining the battery several times, it becomes worse and fails to perform.
- Losing control- with a battery draining and running out of juice, can lead to a worse case of losing control as electronics in the car start to fail and eventually cause an accident.
Can a Car Start Without an Alternator?
Yes, most cars can start without an alternator as long as the battery has some charge. Since the work of the alternator is to maintain the battery’s charge, it’s possible to start a vehicle without it. The car requires to receive enough current for the ignition to fuel.
How Long Will a Fully Charged Battery Last Without Alternator?
This depends if you’re using the car or not. If you drive, the battery won’t last more than 30 minutes. The time varies depending on how many electronic accessories will be running as you drive.
On a parked car, a new car battery can stay for around two weeks without the need of recharging with an alternator. This battery can last approximately two to three months when fully charged. However, the battery can’t start the car’s engine if you leave it for more than two months.
How Many Times Can You Start a Car without an Alternator
The number of times you can start your engine depends on the battery and the weather. When you start your car in cold weather when the oil is thick, the vehicle will use more power to turn on the engine. Also, the battery performance is down in cold weather, and the car may even fail to start. Additionally, a large and heavy engine draws more power from the battery, and thus the vehicle will only start a few times.
Can a Car Run without an Alternator Belt?
You can drive a car without an alternator belt, but it won’t go very far. Depending on your vehicle, many devices rely on a steady supply of electricity from the battery. The battery gets overloaded as it has to fuel the starter and still other electrical devices. After running the car, the battery gets drained, and it can’t power the devices any longer until you recharge. The best thing is to switch off all other components, let the battery power the engine alone, and run for more miles. However, if the belt drives the fan and water pump, you will go for a few yards before the engine gets too hot.
Check this too: How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery While Driving?
Conclusion
Always have your alternator checked periodically for any wear to ensure it’s operating efficiently. Routine checkups and proper maintenance can prevent your car from having a lousy alternator belt which causes a power shortage supply to your electrical devices and the battery.