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You may think that your battery does all the work when powering the car’s electrical system, but it is the alternator that keeps things running when you’re on the road. The alternator recharges the battery and powers electrical modules while the engine is running by generating electrical energy from mechanical energy. Without this device, the battery would be rapidly drained by the electrical components, such as the headlights, car radio, and car air conditioning parts.
How do I know when to replace the alternator?
Alternators are generally expected to last about 6 to10 years or around 80,000 to 150,000 miles. The alternator may deteriorate as a result of wear, a loose or overtightened vehicle's car drive belt, or corroded and contaminated parts. A failing battery can also reduce the lifespan of the device as a result of an increased load as it attempts to recharge the battery and supply power to the system.
Common symptoms of a bad alternator:
- An illuminated battery warning light
- Whirring, grinding or whining sounds coming from under the bonnet
- Dim or abnormally bright headlights
- Flickering interior lights
- Stalling or problems with starting the car
- Malfunctioning electrical accessories
Some of these symptoms can be confused with the symptoms of a failing battery. A thorough inspection of the battery, drive belt and alternator is necessary to get to the root cause of the problem. You can check the alternator by testing the battery voltage with a multimeter. The readings should be between 13.5V and 15V when the engine is running.
How much does it cost to replace an alternator?
In the UK, the average cost to replace an alternator is around £300. Prices typically range from £100 to £700. They vary from dealer to dealer and based on the vehicle make and model, labour rates, and the parts used for the repairs. If your vehicle requires a component with a higher AMP output, it’s likely that the price will be higher. Some car owners may need to install a device with a higher output due to the number of electrical accessories installed on their vehicle.
Buying a cheap car alternator online is a cost-effective solution for maintaining your vehicle on a budget with prices starting from as little as £65.
How long does it take to replace an alternator?
The average alternator replacement takes between 1 hour and 3 hours to complete. This time will vary depending on the size of the vehicle and the ease of access. For example, it might only take an hour to replace a Ford Focus alternator and up to 4 hours to replace the same component on a Range Rover.
Is it possible to fix a broken alternator?
It may be possible to repair the device instead of replacing it, however, this is a very time-consuming task. It is often more cost-effective to replace it instead when the labour costs are taken into account.
Can I do this myself?
This will depend on your skills and experience as some vehicles are more complex. However, there are a number of online guides and tutorials out there to help. It is also important that the fault is identified correctly. For instance, the cause could be a bad alternator pulley or a failing drive belt.
Can a car run with a failing alternator?
It is possible to drive a vehicle in this condition, although it is generally advised against. The problem is that there is no guarantee that the battery will be able to power the car’s electronics sufficiently by itself. It can decrease the service life of the battery and the cells will be rapidly drained. A fully charged battery should have a resting voltage of around 12.6 V. As soon as it reaches around 12.2 V, it is considered 50% discharged.
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