Maintaining your alternator He adds that fluid leaks in the alternator or a tight belt can also cause damage to the alternator bearings, causing premature wearing. Gunning says when the alternator goes bad, the electronics try to draw all of their power off the battery, which can cause the battery to die as well.
How long can you drive without alternator?
For the unfortunate souls who realize that this vital part of the vehicle is failing, how long will a car run without an alternator and what can you do to elongate the vehicle's ability to function? Without this essential component, your car will only function for up to two hours and as little as five minutes.
Can an alternator go bad without warning?
There are only a few ways an alternator can go bad, but they tend to happen suddenly without a lot of warning. Here are the common symptoms: Undercharging – This is the most common problem, and can often be caught in the early stages.