The most common reason an alternator is not charging the battery is due to worn carbon brushes or a damaged alternator itself. It can also be caused by a blown fuse or bad wirings. If your serpentine belt snapped off, the alternator will, of course not charge then either.
What fuse controls the alternator to battery?
There are 2 fuses for the alternator. One is usually a fusable link (wire) for connecting the stator diodes to the battery, and a lower value fuse (10 to 30 amp) for protecting the field (rotor).
Can fuse cause alternator problems?
A blown alternator fuse will prevent the charging system from working properly, leading to a variety of problems that can mimic a bad alternator.
Can a bad battery cause an alternator not to charge?
The most common reason for an alternator failing to charge a battery is one of them going bad. You can easily test the voltage by connecting a voltmeter to your battery while the engine is off. The voltage reading should be between 12 and 13 volts. This will put a lot more demand on the alternator.
Related Question What causes the alternator to not charge the battery?
How do I check to see if my alternator is bad?
Should I fuse my alternator?
Can a loose belt cause alternator not to charge?
A belt that is “too tight” or “too loose” will cause charging issues that, in turn, will cause the problems your customer describes. Always verify belt tension prior to replacing parts. The next step will be to check the wires going from the battery to the alternator and the grounding cables.
What are signs of a bad voltage regulator?
To be more specific, you may notice that the vehicle's:
Can a new alternator charge a dead battery?
Q) Will an alternator charge a dead battery? A) Alternators are designed to maintain a battery's charge, not to recharge a dead battery. Charging a dead battery with an alternator will result in premature alternator failure.
Which condition does a alternator normally charge the battery?
To charge the battery the voltage supplied to it must not be too low or too high. The alternator has a transistor-operated control device that regulates the voltage by supplying more or less current - as required - to the electromagnet.
How do you test a alternator relay?
What happens when a fusible link goes bad?
When it fails, it will break the continuity in the rest of the circuit, preventing damage to other components down the line. A fusible link typically costs a couple of bucks and can be replaced in 30 minutes.
Where is the battery fuse located?
Can an alternator drain a battery when the car is off?
Even while your car is off, your battery provides power to things like the clock, the radio, and the alarm system. But when the engine is off, the alternator can't recharge the battery, allowing little electrical mishaps to drain your battery entirely.