It can be challenging to diagnose a problem that is due to the alternator not charging properly. It may for example lead you to change the car battery, which will only result in a drained brand new battery.
In this article, we will go through how to fix an alternator not charging the battery but also how to diagnose it properly.
Luckily, there are usually only a few reasons why an alternator is not working properly. All these reasons will be covered, and they include problems with the wiring, ECU, fuse, and more.
Before you dig in, it may be wise to get an overview of how an alternator works, to understand the core problem of the alternator not working.
Without further ado, let’s dive in!
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Worn Out Alternator
The alternator is usually very durable and will in most cases last for many years and miles. Just like any other part, it will wear out as it is constantly in action when the engine is on.
The constant motion of the rotor, bearings and other components will eventually wear out. In that case, it is usually more economically sound to replace the alternator in whole than to repair it.
A new alternator will set you back around $400 but the price may vary greatly depending on the make and model of your car.
Some alternators may wear down prematurely, which is usually known by car enthusiasts that drive a particular model. In those cases, it may be wise to change the relevant part, but this is rare.
A good tip is to check a car forum for your car model and see if any problems usually occur more often than other general models.
Faulty ECU
Today’s cars are all about computers and electricity. Considering that the electricity is produced by the alternator, it may not come as a surprise that electrical problems may arise.
The engine control unit (ECU) is the brain of the car and makes sure everything works smoothly. Sometimes, not everything goes as planned it may send improper signals.
Improper signaling to and from the voltage regulator may cause the alternator to not charge. This may also be due to the voltage regulator itself.
Bad Wiring
The alternator is connected to several wires, usually three.
The excitor wire is needed to get the alternator running, the ignition wire excites the field coils, while the third wire is connected to the battery and charges it.
Any breaks or problems with these wires will lead to the alternator not working properly.
Most alternators are connected through these three wires, but there are exceptions. Make sure to double-check how many wires your alternator is connected to and check each one.
Blown Fuse
The alternator has in most cases two fuses that, just like any other fuse, can burn out.
A blown fuse can simply be replaced, and everything will go back to normal. Keep in mind that fuses are a safety mechanism. A blown fuse is usually a signal that something else is not as it should be.
The reasons for a blown fuse are many, and in most cases, there is something more serious that must be checked.
Improper grounding by a mechanic working on the alternator or improperly jump starting the car can blow the fuse, in those cases, the problem is not intrinsic but due to the human factor.
Serpentine Belt Problem
The serpentine belt plays a pivotal role in producing electricity with the help of the alternator.
Luckily, this problem is very easy to detect as the serpentine belt does not only affect the alternator, but also the power steering and the water pump.
This means that if the serpentine belt is the problem, your car will overheat relatively quickly, while also having very heavy steering.
The latter does not apply to all car models as some do not use a power steering pump (which is connected to the serpentine belt).
Also, make sure that the serpentine belt is not too tight as that can lead to accelerated wear to the bearings the belt is connected to, including the alternator.
New Alternator And Battery Still Not Charging
If you have recently changed to an alternator but the same problems are still present, the problem is most probably not due to the alternator.
Still, many times a brand new product does not mean it is functional. You should therefore test your alternator as well as the car battery to see if it is okay.
If the alternator test shows no abnormal values, check that the potential culprits mentioned above are not the cause, including improper wiring and a bad serpentine belt.
If there is no indication that those are the problems, reflect if there is a new system that you have recently installed that might drain the battery improperly.
A few examples may be a new car alarm, music system, navigation system, and so on. An improper installation or incompatibility to your car model of these accessories may cause similar problems.
If the problem still exists, the wisest thing would be to contact a mechanic or electrician that specializes in these problems.
Summary
Multiple things can make your alternator stop charging the car battery and support the electrical accessories of your car.
Luckily, these problems are rare, but they do happen. When the problem is present it is usually due to the alternator itself, which makes a total replacement relevant.
Alternators are usually replaced in whole instead of individual parts, as when one part fails, the other parts are probably going bad in the near future.
If you have recently replaced the alternator but the battery is still not charging, investigate the wiring, the battery itself, recently installed accessories, and other potential causes mentioned in the article.
