There are essentially three ways to make an alternator repair (either by the mechanic or yourself):
- Replacing the old alternator with a brand new one
- Replacing the old alternator with a used or refurbished one
- Refurbishing (repairing) your old alternator
Full Answer
How much does it cost to get your alternator rebuilt?
There are also rebuilt alternators. These are alternators in which only the components which show visible wear and tear are replaced. A rebuilt alternator will only cost you $80 to $150 for the rebuilt charge.
When is it time to replace my alternator?
You can notice alternator belt problems in a variety of ways – it may be visibly loose or cracked, it may make a growling or whining sound, or you may smell burning rubber. If you notice these signs and it’s linked to the alternator accessory belt, it’s time to replace the alternator. A Dead Battery.
Can You rebuild an alternator?
Rebuilding an alternator is a fairly simple procedure, which anyone with basic automotive knowledge can accomplish. Although the construction of some brands will vary slightly, the basic anatomy of an alternator consists of the same components. Follow these steps as you learn how to rebuild an alternator. Disconnect the battery leads.
How to disassemble an alternator?
Steps Download Article
- Disconnect the battery leads.
- Remove the air cleaner for easier to access the alternator.
- Mark the placement of the electrical leads before removing them.
- Disconnect the electrical leads.
- Remove the vehicle's serpentine belt.
- Remove the mounting bolts and familiarize yourself with their placement.
- Pull the alternator out.
How can I make my alternator work again?
2:554:34How to Fix a Dying Alternator for Free - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipBut you don't have to hit it hard you don't have to beat the living crap out of it. But. If you doMoreBut you don't have to hit it hard you don't have to beat the living crap out of it. But. If you do it. Right. You'll get your alternator to start working again.
Can you fix a bad alternator?
Some alternator parts can be easily replaced such as bearings. These can fail due to inadequate lubrication or excessive wear. Wiring connections can become loose or even break, disrupting electrical output. In some cases, these may be able to be soldered back together and repaired.
Can you fix an alternator at home?
Replacing an alternator can cost you several hundred bucks at the local repair shop, but it's one of the simplest repairs you can do at home. With a few tools and about an hour you can swap it out yourself -- and keep your dough in your pocket where it belongs.
How do you fix an alternator that is not charging?
Check the large power cable to the alternator and the fuse, usually, a large 40-60 amp fuse near the battery. Check the ground cable between the engine and the body. Check the serpentine belt and make sure the alternator is spinning with the engine. Check the small power supply wire and the charging light wire.
What kills an alternator?
Running in full charge mode continuously can kill an alternator, so trying to have your new alternator try and charge your dead battery can result in immediate alternator failure.
Does tapping on alternator work?
Some people believe that you can just tap the alternator with a hammer to get it to operate. You should not do this because it will damage the part and you might even damage the surrounding parts to the car, resulting is a large car repair bill.
What causes an alternator to fail?
Most of the time, alternators fail as a result of age or use. However, some other factors can cause an alternator to fail prematurely. Fluid leaking on the car alternator can commonly lead to failure. Often, engine oil or power steering fluid can work its way into the alternator and cause it to malfunction or fail.
How do u know if alternator is bad?
7 Signs of a Failing AlternatorDim or Overly Bright Lights. ... Dead Battery. ... Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories. ... Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling. ... Growling or Whining Noises. ... Smell of Burning Rubber or Wires. ... Battery Warning Light on Dash.
What happens when the alternator dies?
If a faulty alternator fails to keep your battery consistently charged, the fuel injectors may not fire, causing your engine to stall. A dying alternator can lead to a wide range of other electrical issues. Generally speaking, such issues manifest as an inability to perform at normal power.
How do I know if my alternator fuse is blown?
Warning Lights The charging system warning light on the dashboard will likely illuminate if the alternator fuse is blown. A blown alternator fuse can also trigger the check engine light and many other dashboard warnings due to system undercharging.
Is there a fuse for a alternator?
0:363:39Alternator Fuse Check this first, if new alternator is not charging ... - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo you're going to want to locate both the positive and negative terminal. And we're going to do theMoreSo you're going to want to locate both the positive and negative terminal. And we're going to do the negative first and these ones are just a 10 millimeter socket. So we'll just go ahead and remove
How long will a car run without alternator?
Without this essential component, your car will only function for up to two hours and as little as five minutes. Those with an older car model or a vehicle that runs on diesel will have the most run time.
How do you bypass a bad alternator?
0:110:52Quick fix to bypass a broken alternator - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipSo from your battery and you follow it over all the way into your vehicle. Then inside of theMoreSo from your battery and you follow it over all the way into your vehicle. Then inside of the vehicle what you do is you place a fully charged battery right here nice and safe next to your legs.
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.
Is it cheaper to rebuild an alternator?
Rebuilt Will Cost Less You could save up to about half on a rebuilt alternator. In this process the broken parts are replaced, hence the term rebuilt. You may get up to a 90-day warranty. Remanufactured alternators still offer some savings, around 25% generally, and are different than rebuilt ones.
How much does it cost to rebuild an alternator?
How much does an alternator repair cost? It depends if a repair is possible. If not, you'll have to have it replaced, which can run between $500 to $1,000 (including parts and labor). Otherwise, for something simple like replacing an alternator belt, expect to pay about $100-$150 (not including diagnosis).
Why remove air cleaner from alternator?
Remove the air cleaner for easier to access the alternator.
Where is the rectifier located on an alternator?
In some alternators, the rectifier will be found pressed into the rear half of the alternator's frame.
How to replace a rectifier?
Replace the rectifier by prying out the soldered leads and then undo the mounting screws.
Where is the heat shield on an alternator?
Inspect the heat shield at the back of the alternator to verify that it is properly installed.
What to do if your bearing is not snug?
Inspect the bearing. If it does not seem snug, or makes noise when it spins, it will have to be replaced.
How many bolts to remove alternator cover?
Now you have removed the alternator, remove the plastic cover on the rear of the alternator, typically there are two bolts to be removed to remove the cover.
Can you disconnect +ve wire from car battery?
Disconnect the +ve from the battery for safety, I actually did not do this and bumped a +ve wire connected on the Alternator which created some brief fireworks, so my advice is to disconnect the +ve on the car battery first.
How to repair an alternator?
There are essentially three ways to make an alternator repair (either by the mechanic or yourself): Replacing the old alternator with a brand new one. Replacing the old alternator with a used or refurbished one. Refurbishing (repairing) your old alternator. More on this topic and how to make a proper choice lower in the article.
Where is the alternator located on a car?
Here the biggest problem could be accessibility to the alternator itself. On most cars the alternator is located in the upper part of the engine, in a visible and easy-to-reach part of the engine bay.
Why does my serpentine belt make a screeching sound?
If the serpentine belt is extremely worn out, it will slip over the pulley thus causing the screeching sound.
Why does my alternator go haywire?
But from what I’ve seen, most anomalies usually happen when the voltage is too high. The alternator simply overloads the system and with today’s sensitive electronic components and installations, they can go haywire (various warning lights for no apparent reason, glitches and so on).
How long does an alternator last?
A refurbished or repaired alternator (if the repair is done in quality) should last at least 100.000 kilometers without any problems. Almost all parts can be bought separately and are meant to be replaced. The only limiting factor for this solution is the build of the alternator itself.
What does it mean when an alternator makes a grinding noise?
4. Grinding noise from the alternator. When a grinding noise appears it is almost certain that the bearings have worn out. There are two bearings, one in the front housing and one in the rear; these bearings hold the rotor in center.
Why is the front of a serpentine belt worn out?
The front one is more prone to wearing out as it holds most of the load caused by the serpentine belt . Also, it is usually a ball bearing so it’s more susceptible to damage.
How much does it cost to fix an alternator?
How much do alternator repairs cost? It depends if a repair is possible. If not, you’ll have to have it replaced, which can run between $500 to $1,000 (including parts and labor). Otherwise, for something simple like replacing an alternator belt, expect to pay about $100-$150 (not including diagnosis).
How does an alternator work?
How An Alternator Works. Simply put, an alternator converts mechanical energy, which is made by your engine, into electrical energy. Components like your AC, power steering, power windows, and radio, can’t run on mechanical energy. Instead, they need electricity, which is why the alternator is so crucial.
Why does my alternator make a whining sound?
As stated previously, your alternator runs off a belt that’s connected to the crankshaft. If you begin to notice a whining or growling sound coming from under the hood, it signals there might be an issue with the system. These include a damaged or misaligned belt or worn bearings.
Why is an alternator important?
Instead, they need electricity, which is why the alternator is so crucial. You might think your battery handles this, but in truth, it’s only in charge of getting your car started in the first place. This means that the battery starts the engine, and the alternator keeps it going.
What does it mean when a car battery starts?
This means that the battery starts the engine, and the alternator keeps it going.
What does 12.2 mean on a car battery?
12.6V is the magic number, it should not drop far below this range. Anything below 12.2 means your battery is only half-charged. If it is far above, then there is a problem that may lead to a blown alternator or battery. If it is low, unhook the battery from the car and attach it to a charger.
What is the job of an alternator?
Remember, the alternator has a significant job, it powers all of the electrical components in your vehicle.
