bad alternator signs and symptoms
The alternator is one of the most important elements in the car’s electrical system. It transmits electrical energy that is necessary for the functioning of the engine and other components. For the element to work, your car must have a functioning alternator voltage regulator. How do you know if it is damaged and how it can be repaired?
Electricity is required just to start the engine. Later, your car also uses it while driving — supporting the drive unit or other systems. The battery is unable to meet the demand for electricity and is therefore constantly charged by the alternator. However, its operation must be stabilized, for which an alternator voltage regulator is used .
Why is a voltage regulator so important?
While driving a car, the voltage of electricity changes due to various factors — depending on power consumption and demand or engine speed and revolutions. Such large jumps could be dangerous to the battery and the entire electrical installation in the vehicle.
Imagine that the correct voltage value is 14V. In the event of sudden increases and decreases, you could even expose your car to a short circuit and spontaneous combustion. The alternator voltage regulator is used to stabilize the charging value and control this variable.
The regulator operating at the alternator turns the excitation current on and off. In this way, it stabilizes the voltage at the level desired by the car.
Symptoms of damage to the alternator voltage regulator
The device described is a consumable element. The longer it works, the more it wears out. After some time, it will only need to be replaced. How will you know when it’s time to install a new regulator?
The first symptom may be the charging light, which you will see when starting or driving. This and other indicators on the dashboard may also sometimes glow very dimly, indicating a lack of power.
Symptoms of a damaged alternator voltage regulator also include a lack of current while driving (too low charging voltage) or a characteristic sulfur smell. Be careful! This is the result of overcharging the battery. If you notice such an odor, wait and then take your car to a mechanic. If you ignore the problem, you may seriously damage the electrical installation.
Not everyone will immediately recognize a damaged voltage regulator. Symptoms are sometimes similar to a damaged alternator. So there is nothing left to do but check the voltage regulator with a meter.
How to check and replace the voltage regulator?
All you need to check the device is a simple voltage meter . First, check whether there is any current flowing between the alternator and the regulator. Then, after starting the engine, check the voltage on the regulator and battery. Ask for help from another person who should maneuver the turns. If the data differs depending on the speed or load (turn on the air vents, air conditioning, radio, lights), it means that the regulator qualifies for replacement.
This one isn’t very complicated. First you need to remove the alternator. To do this, remove the battery terminals and the belt from the generator. After that, you can unscrew the device from the car.
The next step is to unscrew the alternator housing. This is where the voltage regulator is located. The cost of a new device usually ranges from PLN 50 to PLN 500 — depending on the car you have.
Remember that in more technically advanced cars, removing the alternator may require more advanced skills. In this case, leave the car in the hands of specialists. However, check the symptoms of failure first. Some mechanics may try to take the easy way out and suggest replacing the entire alternator at once , although this will not always be necessary.
