An alternator is an essential component in your car. The equipment keeps the battery charged and prevents it from losing power and dying. It also delivers power to other vehicle’s electrical devices like the headlights, stereo system, etc. therefore, there is a need to take good care of the alternator to ensure it has a longer lifespan and functions correctly.
An alternator can last for about 6-10 years or about 80,000- 150,000 miles. For a more extended lifespan, you have to service your vehicle regularly and maintain your alternator well. However, some factors may affect your alternator lifespan and fail to last as expected. Let’s find out more details of your alternator’s shelf life.
Factors Affecting Alternator Lifespan
Several factors affect how long an alternator lasts, like the conditions in which you drive the car and more. Unlike the engine, which is free from harsh elements, your alternator has exposure to many environmental factors that reduce its lifespan. These factors include;
- Heat– increases electrical resistance meaning a device has to struggle to produce the same output. Again, excess heat makes an electrical component strain, mechanical parts, and lubrication. An alternator produces a lot of heat when loaded and also absorbs it from the engine. As it heats, it losses efficiency by 10%; this leads to strain on the alternator and lowers its lifespan.
- Wrong alternator sizing– if a vehicle has a minimum size alternator, it may not meet all the vehicle’s electrical load capacity. The vehicle’s full loads will prevent the alternator from maintaining a fully charged battery, affecting its life. A poor battery means an alternator must work harder, and this impacts its lifespan.
- Incorrect spin ratio– it causes alternator inefficiency and a shorter lifespan. The wrong ratio occurs due to a mismatch between the size of the drive pulley and the alternator pulley. The best ratio is 3:1, where an alternator spins three times as fast as the engine.
Check this too: How to Troubleshoot a Noisy Alternator
What Causes an Alternator to go Bad?
- A loose serpentine belt/ overtightened- excessive tension on the belt can induce wear on the alternator, while loose straps can reduce the component output.
- Parts getting contaminated with dirt or grime hinder sufficient airflow that cools the alternator. Also, the dirt can cause shorts or wear on the brushes.
- Failed bearings- alternators revolve on high-precision needle bearings, so they fail its best to replace the alternator.
- Corroded terminals will prevent charging of the battery, making the alternator work harder.
- Improper jumpstarting- affect the alternator and can lead to short-circuiting.
- An insufficient field voltage lowers alternators performance
- Mechanical issues can make an alternator fail early.
- Improper mounting that makes the alternator vibrate excessively
Symptoms of a Bad Alternator
You may observe the following symptoms if your vehicle begins to fail;
- Vehicle fails to start
- Car stalls or difficulty starting
- The battery warning light comes on
- Dead battery
- A metallic whirring, grinding, or whining sounds
- Dimming or overly bright lights
- Accessories turn off while driving or fail to turn on completely
- Flickering interior lights
- A burning rubber type smell
- A buzzing radio noise through speakers.
How to Make an Alternator Last Longer?
There various routine measures you can follow to make your alternator last longer and be efficient. Even though you won’t extend the alternator’s life beyond the expected one, you will save yourself the stress of frequent breakdowns and repairs. These measures include;
- Reduce the excessive appliances in the vehicle to prevent overloading your alternator and breaking it.
- Ensure there are no fluids or leaks into the alternator. Always address fluid leaking issues around the engine immediately to avoid costly replacement of the alternator.
- Ensure your belt tensioner is functioning correctly to adjust itself accordingly in case of slack or over-tightening.
- Check the condition of your bearings regularly to ensure the belts aren’t too tight and they are well lubricated.
- Have a good belt alignment that touches the scale on both sides.
- Keep your alternator free from dirt for clean airflow to cool it and the engine.
- Clean the battery terminals as they are prone to rust.
- Properly jumpstart your vehicle when necessary.
- Take your car to qualified personnel if you suspect something is wrong with your battery or alternator.
How Long Will a Car Run with a Dead Alternator?
A vehicle with a dead alternator will only drive for a short while, as it’s relying on the battery’s power. You can consider getting a jumpstart from a friend, but the car will only drive for a few minutes, around 5-30, before it stalls. However, it’s not wise to drive your vehicle in this state because it has less electrical power. The car may cause an accident or leave you stranded in the middle of a highway.
But if you have to drive, turn off all the accessories to keep the engine running and the battery from losing power. The machine will later stop running, and a jump start will not even work.
Should I Rebuild My Car Alternator or Buy a New
Before you choose to rebuild or buy a new alternator, it’s best to understand the differences between the two. You will find that even though a new alternator is expensive in terms of cost, safety, and age, it guarantees you safety and performance. These differences include;
- Cost is a significant difference. It’s cheaper rebuilt an alternator than buying a new one. For good quality on your rebuilt alternator means more money, but for a cheap one, it’s likely to break down again. Thus, it’s cost-effective to buy a new alternator.
- Age is also another difference between a new and rebuilt alternator. Before choosing, consider the age of the parts you want to rebuild as they may be outdated, and the only solution is to replace the alternator with a brand-new one.
- Safety standards- in most cases the rebuilt alternators don’t follow safety standards, but the new one does.
How Long Does a Rebuilt Alternator Last?
When people get a rebuilt alternator, they expect it to last at least long as the life expectancy of a new alternator, around 50,000 to 100,000 miles. But this solely depends on the quality of the rebuilt alternator and the maintenance you give it. Most of the rebuilt alternators will break down almost a year after replacement, especially the cheap ones.
How Long Does it Take to Replace an Alternator?
Replacing an alternator can take around 2 hours at a repair shop but takes more if you opt to do the replacement, and maybe you are unfamiliar with the repair. First, you have to check on both your alternator and the battery; an issue could be affecting both. If you find the battery is functioning well, then you proceed and check your alternator. Determine the cause of the problem on the alternator before replacing it.
Check this too: How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery While Driving?
Conclusion
An alternator plays a significant role in your vehicle. The equipment generates all the electrical power needed to run the engine and other devices in the car. You should thus maintain the alternator well to keep it in condition and performing efficiently. Therefore, if you notice symptoms of your alternator failing, get it checked right away before it gets worse.