5 Things That Cause the Alternator to Break Quickly and How to Fix It

The alternator is one of the essential parts of a car or other motor vehicle

1. Incompatible Output Alternator

The alternator is a part of the engine that provides electricity.

The first thing that can quickly make the alternator stops working is whether the power it sends out is too high or not in line with what it can do.

This can happen if the vehicle has electronic parts that do not meet standards or if it is carrying a hefty load.

So, the alternator is putting out too much electricity, and if nothing is done, the alternator is likely to break down quickly.

2. Loose Belt Condition

An alternator has a belt or belts that connect the engine’s rotation to the alternator. After a while and a lot of use, these belts can become loose or even fall off.

The reason is that the engine has been used too much and hasn’t been taken care of properly and regularly (especially the alternator). If you don’t check it, the alternator won’t work as well as it could.

If you leave the alternator belt loose or detached for a long time, it can affect the car’s engine, making a squeaky sound when it is turned on.

3. Flooding

When the rainy season starts, people who own cars need to be extra careful, especially on roads flooded with water or flooding themselves.

If you make the car drive through the flooded area, the parts inside the car will likely get wet. The engine and alternator will be damaged if you don’t check on the car.

When water, especially flood water, gets into an alternator, it can quickly rust or corrode. If you don’t check on the alternator, it will get damaged quickly, leading to problems in the electrical system.

When washing a car, for example, if water gets on the alternator by accident, it can get flooded and damaged.

4. Carbon Brush and Rotor Slip Rings Problems Occurred

An alternator is a part of a car. It has carbon brushes and rotor slip rings. Both of these parts are very important for the alternator to work as well as it can.

But both can quickly cause the alternator to stop working. The carbon brushes and the slip rings on the rotor work together very well. If both have problems, it can affect how much electricity can flow to the rotor coil (another part of the alternator).

If you keep letting this happen for a specific time, the alternator may get damaged and stop working correctly.

5. Diode Disconnection with Regulator IC

Several parts make up an alternator. Some are regulator ICs and rectifier diodes. The flow of electricity through the alternator links the two parts together.

If these two parts aren’t connected, the alternator won’t be able to make as much electricity. Please note whether the rectifier diode on the alternator works to turn AC electricity into DC electricity.

Not only can the rectifier diode become disconnected from the regulator IC, but it can also be damaged by being overcharged or not getting enough electricity. If the alternator is not checked, it will likely break down quickly.

So, an explanation of why the alternator broke down so quickly. The information above should be helpful and valuable for people who own cars.