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Alternators
An alternator is an old term for electric generator that converts mechanical energy to electrical energy producing alternating current. Alternators are mainly used for recharging batteries and to power electrical loads of vehicles.
4,629 Questions
Could a broken alternator belt make my Chevy van overheat?
It most certainly could. Most new cars use a single belt to run the "accessories" like the alternator, AC compressor, power steering and...the water pump. With no belt, no coolant is flowing through the engine and into the radiator and the car will quickly overheat.
Why is the Alternator light on in your VW Beetle?
One of the functions of the alternator regulator is to compare the alternator output with the battery voltage. If there is a problem it puts the light on. Either the battery is overcharging or undercharging or there is an broken earth(ground) cable/strap connection between the bodywork and the engine. Start with the easy and end with the difficult. Take it slow and follow the safety rules in your manual. After every stage, make safe then see if the fault has cleared.
If you have access to one, connect a DC voltmeter or battery tester across the battery. With the engine running there should be a reading of about 13-14.5 volts. It won't be, but should be later. Switch the engine off.
A physical inspection (prod/poke/pull) is always a good place to start. If nothing else you will get to know what the engine bay looks like with everything in place and with the covers off. Whilst looking around check for wiring that comes close to the engine and make sure the insulation hasn't been rubbed/melted away. If all the connections are good and the alternator drive belt is tight, go for the next easiest bit.
Check the connections on the battery and (if not sealed for life) check the battery acid level in each cell, top-up as necessary with distilled/denatured water. If you need to clean the battery connections remove the negative one first. Remove, clean and replace the positive connection then clean and replace the negative connection. A battery has a nominal life of 3 years. Much depends on whether it does a lot of starting/short runs, the climate and range of temperatures it has to endure. In fact, while the battery is disconnected you should take it to your local shop or battery place and get them to test it; normally for free. Also, while the battery is disconnected, check out the cleanliness and security of the cables on the back of the alternator. If the battery is good, the drive belt is tight and the earths are good the only things left are the alternator and loom wiring.
The alternator is a tricky beast and not that easy to diagnose if you don't have the right tackle. Remove it (follow the book) and take it to an auto electric shop/repair facility for testing. If it needs repair they will either sell you the bits, repair it for you or give you an exchange deal on a new or refurbished unit. You could take a chance on one from a breakers but there are no guarantees. On any repair the biggest cost is always labor. Doing it yourself saves money, skins your knuckles and satisfies your soul. You probably won't be able to get the parts at trade cost but you will still get discounts to put a smile on your face. The good news is these faults are rarely loom wiring, they are either connections or big swap out bits.
OpinionWarning LightsWhen warning lights turn on [except during starting when the key is in the "start" position] indicates that there is something wrong in that system.
It cannot tell you what is wrong, only that something is not right, and...
You need to have a qualified automotive technician to troubleshoot the electrical system, identify the defect, and properly correct it.
Would a bad alternator make a vehicle run rough?
In and of itself, a "bad" alternator will not effect the engine performance.
That said, IF the alternator is not properly charging the battery, and the BATTERY capacity gets low enough, then the very low power can result in very low spark production at the spark plugs, which will fail to dependably ignite the fuel, AND THEN result in "rough," or no running.
So, a "bad" battery itself does not cause rough running, but can lead to battery depletion which can.
Alternator diagram for 2001 Ford Taurus?
The alternator is one of the simple components on a Taurus - 3 bolts hold it on, and only 2 wire connections.
Diagrams though can be found at places like Autozone.com's Repair Guide, hard-copy of a service manuals, etc.
One diagram that does come in handy is the serpentine belt, aka accessory drive belt, routing. One of the "Related Questions" below will provide links to online serpentine belt routing diagrams.
Is voltage regulator inside the alternator on a 2003 2.0 Dodge Neon?
No. The engine computer is the voltage regulator on a Dodge Neon.
Can a belt moving to slow cause the battery to drain?
If it is the belt that drives the alternator, then yes. In many cars, the serpentine belt (the huge, long belt that most think is the "belt" in their car) drives the alternator, and so if it's loose or slipping, will cause the alternator to run sporadically, which will result in a battery that doesn't retain a charge like it should.
How do you change an alternator on a 2002 Dodge Caravan?
What steps are involved in changing an alternator on a 2002 dodge grand caravan?
Where is the alternator on a Nissan Quest?
On all Quest models 2003 and prior, as you're facing the van from the front, the alternator is on the left side. It is towards the back, down about arms length.
How do you replace the alternator belt on a 1996 Chevy Cavalier 2.2?
I think it has a serpentine belt,at least mine does
You can put a 15mm wrench on the tensioner and pull it toward you, the belt will slide right off.
It depends on where the wire is being connected on the alternator. It could be the alternator or it could be a damaged wire or connector. It's something that you will need to track down.
What is a reasonable cost to replace a 1998 Honda Civic LX alternator?
Changing an alternator isn't GENERALLY a difficult process. I'd estimate around an hour of labor - so whatever they charge per hour plus the cost of the alternator. Possibly a couple a hundred bucks.
Can you drive with a bad alternator?
You can drive as long as the battery holds up, so don't use any accessories, lights, heater, radio and such. Try to get to a garage or home as soon as possible.
My AstroVan wont start & the neg blk wire on battery is coming up POS
Does your alternator belt have anything to do with your brake light and battery light coming on?
yes i think cause the battrie runs of the alternator
How to replace an alternator on a 2003 ford expedition?
Do yourself a favor. When buying a New Alternator have them check it before taking it home? I had a bad incident that I ended up with, 3 bad alternators in one day, 3 different stores. Last store check it before I took it home and everything was good. I ended up changing it 3 times. Make sure they also change the pulley. Alternator Removal & Installation 1. Disconnect the negative battery cable. 2. Rotate the drive belt tensioner away from the drive belt and remove the drive belt from the alternator pulley. 3. Detach the electrical harness connectors at the alternator assembly. 4. Disconnect the positive battery cable and remove the nut and washer. 5. Remove 2 front alternator bolts. 6. Remove the rear alternator support bracket retaining bolts and the support bracket. 7. Remove the alternator from the vehicle.
To install: 8. Place the alternator in position and loosely install 2 front alternator retaining bolts. 9. Install the alternator bracket and 3 alternator bracket bolts. Tighten to 84 inch lbs. (10 Nm) 10. Tighten 2 front alternator retaining bolts to 19 ft. lbs. (26 Nm). 11. Connect 2 electrical hardness connectors to the alternator assembly. 12. Connect the positive battery cable and install the nut and washer. Tighten the nut to 72 inch lbs. (8 Nm). 13. Rotate the drive belt tensioner away from the drive belt and install the drive belt on the alternator pulley. 14. Connect the negative battery cable.
15. Start the engine and check for proper charging system operation.
How do you replace an alternator fuse on a 1992 Toyota Corolla?
for what its worth, the 100 amp fuse is located at the battery. you'll need an 8mm for the positive side of the fuse, and a 10mm for the negative side. the fuse is encapsulated in a plastic shell, that you can pry open on the positive side, and has clips on the negative side. take a pic, or take good notes when you remove the wires, as i didn't. i figure that both the wires held with the 10mm are negative; but, one has a stripe. not sure if I'll be lookin for another fuse if i miswire this.
Why would the alternator belt of a 1985 Nissan 200SX keep breaking?
Overtightening the belt, damaged or mis-aligned pulleys. Also, if you're getting a grinding noise while the engine is running, one of bearings in a pulley could be bad.
How do you adjust the tension when replacing the alternator on a 1989 Chevy beretta?
you need to get a tool referred to as a "syrpentene belt wrench" you can rent them from most auto zones, or pick one up for about 25 bucks.
Getting enough amps from the alternator but not enough to the battery?
depends on what way you are testing it but you either have a bad connection between the alternator and the battery or your battery is bad and cant hold the charge what voltage are you getting
Why it is called alternating current and not alternating voltage?
Although in AC, the voltage does change, it is the reversing of direction of flow of the current which was used to designate the AC name.
AnswerIn engineering terminology, the abbreviation a.c. is considered to be an adjective. So, it is quite normal to talk about an 'a.c. voltage', in just the same way as we describe an 'a.c. system', or an 'a.c. motor', etc. However, it is also correct to use the term 'alterating voltage', where applicable.When does the alternator go bad?
You cannot predict when an alternator will go bad. It may last 150,000 miles and it may only last 50,000 miles. It may go bad due to a bad bearing or internal short.
Explain the principle of a alternating current generator?
Well, a magnetic will be spun with one pole up and then the other pole up inducing a magnetic flux, and a coil of copper will be encompassing the magnetic and every time the magnet flips its poles around, thus inducing magnetic flux, a small bit of current will be made. When the flipping of the magnet is faster the current comes faster, but alternates with the flipping of the magnetic, or the changing of the magnetic flux.
Replace an alternator belt on a 2002 Nissan sentra?
just did it today. Stay focused, sockets all mm, 14mm,12mm,8mm, both 1/4 inch drive, and 3/8 in drive. extensions, short ones, 14mm box wrench a long one, 12'' inches long at least for that one bolt on the alternator you can never reach, slim and long. long flat screwdriver, get both belts, serpentine and power steering/water pump belts. OK, now, jack up car on right front side after u loosen lug nuts , remove wheel, remove plastic cover hiding location of belts. purchase a new idler pulley, just the pulley. steering pump has both a locknut and an adjustment bolt. loosen lock nut, do not remove any nuts thru this entire job...... loosen adjustment bolt 1/4 to 1/2 inch out. loosen one bolt holding pump, now you can move it to loosen belt enough to remove the belt. this must be done first, so u can now proceed to remove the serpentine belt. Relax, stay focused, proceed. the 12mm socket came in handy , yes ? use the 8mm socket to loosen the adjustment bolt below/beside the alternator, wind it out about 3/4 inch or less, remember, do not remove any bolts, nuts, etc., just belts! If you want , you can cut the old belts off, but make sure u have purchased the correct belts, very important, I would have measured the existing length of belt. use a piece of wire, string, wrap around outside of belt, then, measure . this is critical because the different manufacturers must have different tapes, and they show (2) lengths, the outside length, and the length that rides the pulleys, inside length, this is the most important. so, don't short change yourself. be absolutely positive that you have purchased the correct belt. Loosen (2) bolts holding the alternator @ its pivot. (underneath), ok, both belts are off, yes? Now , remove and replace the idler pulley. install serpentine belt, you did make a diagram before you started, yes ? use common sense and patience. get that belt on, wiggle , move, alternator, to get that belt on . can be easy, but can have its moments... just do man, just get it on! Then , redo all you undid, reposition , tighten, adjust, and put that pump belt on, thats the piece of cake, reposition, tighten, adjust back the way it was , your done! start engine, make sure everything is good, acceptable, smooth, quiet, and the proper adjustments were made, so there is only 1/4 " inch deflection @ center of each belt , between the pulley centerlines, if two pulleys are 14 "inches apart, then your lucky number is seven! Halfway, 1/4 " inch deflect, no more, no less.
