We have talked about the car alternator on several occasions on this site, and today we want to return to discuss this important component of your vehicle with a more specific focus on why the car’s alternator fails .
What happens if the car’s alternator does not work well:
Let’s start immediately by clarifying that it is very important to try to notice when the alternator of the car is not working well in order to be able to repair it.
Generally, when the car’s alternator malfunctions, the dreaded red battery light may appear on your dashboard . Attention, however: contrary to what one may superficially believe, the fact that the red battery light turns on certainly does not mean that the problem is in the latter, but it could be linked to some malfunction of the alternator that:
- it charges little, that is, it does not supply enough electricity to the car, thus not being able to fully charge the battery, which will have to make up for this deficiency until it runs out completely;
- it charges too much, that is, it supplies too much energy which could cause various damage to the various components of your car.
Other symptoms that could be a clear indication of an alternator malfunction are:
- poor functioning of arrows and headlights;
- the warning lights on the dashboard that become more seals;
- as already mentioned, the lighting of the battery light, even when the car is moving, especially when accelerating.
If these symptoms are underestimated, the risk is that the car stops completely and never starts again, thus requiring the immediate intervention of the tow truck.
Why the car alternator fails and how to fix it
The malfunctions of the alternator can depend on several factors, and can concern the transmission belt (the one that connects the alternator to the engine), the bearings (which allow the rotor to rotate around the stator), the alternator pulleys, the cables, wiring and other connecting elements. In short, this is a vast range of potential causes that, as a rule, it is certainly better to have your trusted mechanic ascertain!
Only here, in fact, will the technician be able to inspect the alternator and carry out all the diagnostic tests, which will certainly help to understand the origin of the problem and understand whether or not a repair or complete replacement of the alternator.
How much does the alternator cost to replace
In the worst case scenario, that is that of the alternator to be replaced, it is good to immediately clarify that the price of the alternator has a very variable cost, which changes according to the type of component and the model of the car. In principle, the price of the alternator can vary between 100 and 300 euros, to which the cost of labor must also be added.
How often does the alternator fail
The alternator usually has a rather long duration over time, but various factors can lead to its breakdown and malfunction. This is why it is good to try to have the alternator checked periodically, at least every 150,000 km, to avoid being suddenly left with the car stopped on the roadside.
Conclusions
In this study we have tried to understand what are the main characteristics of the alternator, and for what reasons the alternator can break. We also understood what the main symptoms of a failed alternator are, how much it costs and what can be done to repair them.
For more information, we naturally recommend that you seek the advice of your trusted mechanic who, in the event of a malfunction, will allow you to make a timely diagnosis with his technical tools. Once the diagnosis has been made, you will certainly be able to understand if it is necessary to replace it or if it is possible to proceed with its repair, or if the problems and malfunctions manifested are actually connected to the alternator or to some other component of the vehicle.
