6 Symptoms of a Bad Alternator!

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on one of the most crucial yet often overlooked components of your car - the alternator. This key player in your vehicle's electrical system ensures everything from your lights to your radio functions smoothly. But what happens when it starts to fail? How do you diagnose the issues, and what are the signs & symptoms to look out for? In this detailed video, Zach dives into the world of the alternator, providing you with essential knowledge about its function, the common symptoms of its failure, and a step-by-step guide on how to diagnose any issues effectively. Whether you're a seasoned gearhead or a new car owner, this video aims to provide you with all the knowledge and tools you need to ensure your alternator keeps charging along.
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00:12 - What is an Alternator and What Does an Alternator Do?
00:50 - Symptoms of Failing Alternator
01:03 - Symptom #1 of a Failing Alternator - Battery
01:45 - Symptom #2 of a Failing Alternator - Lights
02:33 - Symptom #3 of a Failing Alternator - Vehicle Accessories
03:27 - Symptom #4 of a Failing Alternator - Noises
04:43 - Symptom #5 of a Failing Alternator - Smells
05:25 - Symptom #6 of a Failing Alternator - Engine Stalls
07:02 - Differences Between Alternator or Battery Problems

[@elgatogordo9523]

Thank you for your informative video. Just what I needed to troubleshoot my 1994 Lexus.

[@8020Media]

E - We hope it helps. Thanks for the feedback!

[@orchidbrown7787]

This is probably been one of the most useful videos. I have a used 2010 Jeep liberty sport. I have already replaced the battery back in February. For the last week, my car is suddenly dead overnight with no lights on or doors open. I’ve noticed the motor functioning to my window slowing and there are times my lights will dim and adjust while driving. I jumpstarted the vehicle and still having some issues. I am going to try to get my car in somewhere tomorrow. Thankyou again!

[@8020Media]

O - Certainly sounds like an alternator issue. Thanks for the feedback!

[@pitsapits7503]

Glad i found this video appreciate your help

[@8020Media]

Pits - Thanks for sharing your feedback! Hope it helps.

[@pimplottithaprince4700]

Thank You 🙏🏾

[@8020Media]

P - Thanks for the feedback! We hope it helped.

[@khehlarobert7718]

So can alternator problem affect or damage computer box without damaging fuses?

[@newfie-dean5803]

I monitored control module voltage with a BlueDriver scan tool and I noticed the voltage range shown as 0.07V to 58V! I have not seen these values as they must happen very briefly but they show in the range. Does this sound like a bad voltage regulator in the alternator?

[@8020Media]

Yeah sounds like a voltage regulator issue, check all your wiring too and battery grounds but likely regulator

[@tylerreeves3436]

Does a alternator and fuel pump have any relation whatsoever? Because for a little while now I’ve had trouble starting the car within 5-20 minutes of turning it off, but if it’s longer than that it starts no problem. Thought it was fuel pump at first but I had my alternator tested and it said it wasn’t good. Now, my brake, battery, and ABS light come on intermittently. I do hear a slight whine noise when I turn the vehicle, and when I popped the hood I did smell sort of a burning/hot smell. No overheating however or rpm’s going crazy or anything.

[@user-ii1ne7vk6f]

I have a Pontiac grand prix GT1 from 2004. I've been having power steering issues with the car. today, I replaced the power steering fluid and flushed it out quite a few times. when idling the car, the power steering is fine. However, when I apply brakes when idling, my steering wheel gets really hard to turn for some reason until I release the brakes and start moving. when the car drives, its completely fine. its only when I am idling or going slow, and I press the brakes for example slowing down to turn into a parking space. when I release the brakes, it is still hard to turn until I give it some rpm. I honestly don't know what the issue could be at this point and its why I'm commenting on an alternator video lol. Help would be appreciated. I'm thinking it could be a bad steering pump but idk because it seems to be only during or after brakes are applied at zero or really low speeds. I should also mention it sounds like compressed air or something releases from the vehicle when turning the wheel back and forth. the air is louder and more aggressive when brakes are applied.

[@8020Media]

K - Certainly seems like something is wrong with the power steering system. Have you taken it in to a shop or are you just trying to self-diagnose?

[@user-ii1ne7vk6f]

@@8020Media after some more research, I'm pretty sure it is my steering pump. its wheezing making some interesting noises when turning.

[@8020Media]

Kaleb - Great to hear! Thanks for the update.

[@kalafo4792]

Can a rebuilt alternator be going bad and overcharge my battery??…. Bought a new battery since it was boiling/hot to the touch. New battery in and still overheating….. should we replace the alternator all together?

[@Harrybowles1969]

You just refreshed my mind on the subject, appreciate you 🙏🤍

[@8020Media]

David - Glad to hear! Thanks for the feedback.

[@migu003]

I bought a brand new battery and alternator 2023 september and im getting these symtoms on my 08 Kia sorento. After car stays on for some time, lights start to flicker and start dimming down and i get abs light and esc light on and some times check engine and battery light, read codes and come back as p1295 and p2106 which are related to the throttle body. Do you think its the throttle body or alternator again? I warrantied the battery and same issues now im thinking of taking the alternator to get it tested and warrantied if it comes back as bad.

[@8020Media]

M - This sounds like an alternator issue to us. Wouldn't be a bad idea to get the alternator checked out before touching the throttle body.

[@DominicParris]

I’d say throttle body. Just had same issues with engine light , abs and battery light.

[@8020Media]

D - Thanks for taking the time to share your experience.

[@Zayn.A]

Hey quick quesion, my 2011 Ford Explorer is showing the "check charging system" light on the dashboard. The power steering is electric so i can feel the power steering tightening up while reversing. I installed a new alternator a month ago from amazon (A-premium brand) and it worked just fine until now. You think it's the alternator going out? Any chance a new alternator can go bad that quick? Or maybe i should change the timing belt. I've already installed a new battery a month ago.

[@8020Media]

Z - This sounds like an alternator issue. It is possible that you could have bought a faulty alternator. Have you had it checked out?

[@Blujonny11]

Hi, I have a problem where when I put my car into park when I get home all the dash lights and stereo go off for a quick second and come back on again. I've only noticed it at night. The battery terminals are all clean. Could this be the alternator? The car starts pretty well and has no problem turning over. Thanks!

[@8020Media]

B - Yes, this could certainly be an alternator issue.

[@Blujonny11]

@@8020Media Ok. Thanks for your help! I have a mechanic's appointment in a week at soonest. Do you think this sounds like an issue that needs quicker attention?

[@8020Media]

Any update here?

[@Blujonny11]

@@8020Media Yes, even though the positive terminal lead seemed tight, it actually wasn't. It was loose enough to where it was causing enough movement to cause that momentary glitch. Mechanic put a new terminal lead on and it seems fine now. Thanks!

[@8020Media]

B - Nice! Thanks for coming back and sharing your experience. This will certainly help future viewers.

[@aldelacruz31]

How about over voltage which is also common, what causes the alternator to go overvoltage

[@8020Media]

Yeah that could do it too, parts wise its usually a bad voltage regulator that would do that

[@Tvpc1971]

Ive gone through 3 alternators recently. I guess they dont make them like they used to. My car (Camaro Z28) is wired for the electric fans to stay on permanently because of a low temp thermostat. Not anymore. Its been rewired back to factory. Im sure this has caused the regulators to fail.

[@8020Media]

Tvpc - Great point.. Sorry to hear that you have gone through so many. This certainly isn't normal, there could be something else going on to cause so many failing.

[@angelcee1417]

I just changed my alternator but when i was gonna turn on my car all the lights where on like if the car was was on i can see my miles and everything with out the key ignition , once i did turn it on i rollerd my passenger window down a lil bit after i cut it off and cut it back on i had nothing no dash no radio no windows , what you think possibly happend

[@8020Media]

A - When was the last time your battery was replaced?

[@angelcee1417]

1 year ago it was replaced boss .

[@8020Media]

A - Hmm. Our guess would be the battery, but it shouldn't lose it's charge that soon. Have you taken it to a mechanic?

[@angelcee1417]

Yes that actually how it died down i was driving it back from shop and it started sturdering and bogin out before completely turing off my battery completely went out , im thinking they didnt connect the alternator correct or the pig tails cause the back conector to altanator had broke so we had to connect a new one

[@8020Media]

A - Sorry to hear about this. Keep us updated!

[@lashonyataylor9492]

I found this video helpful, my vehicle keeps cutting off while driving and 20 min later comes back

[@8020Media]

L - We think this video may also help with your research: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZPUcnyYjreXpMU

[@conniedeniseboswell2948]

Does anyone no if it's bad to unhook the negative side while car is running to check the alternator 15 dodge charger

[@Bowhunterohio]

How about an alternator that works part time. When I start the Kia the battery light is on and if I rev the motor to 2500 RPM then it starts working. It’s do e this for months then now it won’t work. The next day it worked again just to stop working again. lol. I have checked everything. Literally everything. There is no check engine light so for once I’m freakin stupmped and I gotta get it figured out.

[@8020Media]

B - I mean it is possible for it to be intermittent. You may want to get it checked out.

[@uknownx9238]

I bought a new battery hoping that it would fix the issue but nope 😢. Battery is 14 years old so thought it mighr have been it.

[@8020Media]

U - What problems are you experiencing?

[@DaleC1980]

Battery and alternator could both be bad

[@nanicasillas6492]

I changed the battery and drove it 2 hours and it died

[@nanicasillas6492]

Jump start then drove a few minutes then it died again

[@8020Media]

N - Have you looked at the alternator? We also have a video on engine stalling that could be helpful for your research: kzbin.info/www/bejne/bZPUcnyYjreXpMU

[@jerrynevarez1749]

What about the batter light on the dash?

[@8020Media]

Jerry - Battery?

[@jerrynevarez1749]

@8020Media yes sorry meant to say battery light is on

[@8020Media]

J - May want to get your battery checked.

[@SpywareSmith]

Can bad alternator cause erratic idle or misfire?

[@8020Media]

S - Unlikely.

[@sesmith314]

You're basically only talking about the electrical issues of an alternator..... Not the mechanical. If the bearing is going bad then yes, you can have misfire.

[@8020Media]

S - Thanks for sharing.

[@MrThunderCunt]

It shouldnt misfire due to a bad alternator but it can cause idle to be weird due to an uneven load on the engine

[@Iwrenchanddetail]

Yes it can lmao

[@pierresmith8175]

im wondering can an altenator cause parasitic drain ?

[@8020Media]

P - It's certainly possible.

[@luvluv8929]

Does the starter cause an alternator bad?

[@8020Media]

Luv - Typically, no.

[@ro-landocalrissian4633]

Hi so I have an 03 Corolla with about 150k miles. The other day my car wouldn’t start. the tow truck driver tried jump starting it & nothing happened. But my battery & my lights were fine. I heard a humming noise when I tried starting it. I ended up getting it towed. As soon as I got home, it turned on & has been turning on ever since. I had a diagnostic & it said bad charging system. Could this be an alternator issue or something else?

[@8020Media]

Ro - Not likely an alternator issue, but certainly could be. Based on your symptoms, we advise to check out all of the battery connections. Did you have a mechanic look at it? Keep us updated.

[@HeyyMrsCarter.]

This same thing is happening to me. It starts & then won’t start but all my lights come on fine. But I do have corrosion on my battery.

[@8020Media]

H - May want to check your battery.

[@ro-landocalrissian4633]

@@8020Media I did, I cleaned the terminals & haven’t had an issue after that, but it’s weird, I took my car to a few Auto Zones so they could run a diagnostic for me & they told me different stories at each. One said I had an issue with the alternator, the other said it was my battery. I got different readings, so I don’t trust their diagnostics computer & my battery is fairly new..

[@HeyyMrsCarter.]

@@8020Media Thanks so much. I’m gonna have someone check the charge

[@baronsamedi5224]

My car has all these symptoms

[@8020Media]

B - May want to check your alternator.

[@cassalynnvictoria1496]

I’m probably the worst car owner ever 😂lol. Literally had ALL these issues with my vehicle and chopped it up to a bolt not being tight enough for 3 years (I drive this car only in winter.) and the car finally died on me on the freeway lol. Thankfully I have other cars I take care of but I was about to just junk this one. Good to know it’s just the alternator. Might just fix it and keep it until I run it into the ground again.

[@8020Media]

Cass - Keep us updated on this! We hope the video helps.

[@afnaafsa]

My car loses acceleration only in the night after driving some distance and steering becomes little tight . But no problems In day time driving. then I noticed the dash board flickering when headlight on and when I off the headlight and drove…no issues with power loss Also I smelled some wire burning .. Battery has green indicator I guess it’s alternator

[@8020Media]

Yeah you're alternator is probably weak. It can't keep up with the extra current draw required by the headlights. If not that, an issue with the idle air control valve could cause it as well. Worth checking that first before spending money on an alternator

[@albertogonzalez5830]

Yeah my battery died after I went and drove for 20 min. Me thinking it was my battery I went and got a new battery And then my battery and brake light came on with new battery. And it smells really gross and it started smoking. Starting to believe it is my alternator.

[@8020Media]

A - Certainly could be. Keep us updated on this.

[@conniedeniseboswell2948]

My voltage I can start my car it will be 13.3 then drive and turn my car off and start back it's 14.8 and bounces and off and on I have no power dodge charger

[@conniedeniseboswell2948]

But no check engine light but my car is running sluggish.

[@isee_mio2223]

Can a bad alternator kill your battery??

[@8020Media]

I - It certainly can.

[@Andrew-vd2ko]

You missed out the whining from the Alternator when the internal regulator goes from output of 14 volts down to 11 to 12 volts.... I have one blow that section TWICE in 12 months... That sound starts after the electrical did a reboot and flashed the dashboard (in my 2003 Honda) and that sound was warning DO NOT turn off the car until you are safe or where you can get help....

[@8020Media]

Andrew - Thanks for adding this insight!

[@npapan]

If you have an alternator problem, shouldn't you get the red battery light on the dash? I had a failed alternator once on a 2009 CR-V with no warning light and the whole car died on me while driving. It had no flickering lights, nothing whatsoever.

[@barrymccaulkiner7092]

If voltage output is below a certain about when running then yes the light is supposed to come on. But a failing alternator can still output 12.5 Volts while running and that won't trigger the battery light.

[@8020Media]

Barry - Thanks for adding this insight so quickly! You beat us to it.

[@MQuez]

the check engine light came on & it was the alternator. I have a honda too

[@npapan]

@@MQuez What year is your Honda?

[@MQuez]

@@npapan 13

[@toniwilliams4343]

Can a bad positive battery wire mirror the symptoms of a bad alternator?

[@8020Media]

T - Not entirely.

[@views-nr6jr]

Can a bad alternator make a car no start no crank

[@8020Media]

V - It's possible. Here's a video that may help with your research: kzbin.info/www/bejne/Zoq1la2Al62Wo5Y

[@dalpalgal]

Sea Dog!

[@8020Media]

D - What?

[@stevehepburn5094]

In my mind a test for the alternator is with the engine running take the positive lead off of the battery. Then check voltage across that lead to body ground to see what the alternator is actually putting out. Anyone know if this is a viable test or if I'm on crack? My 2016 Odyssey has battery light on. Had burning smell last week. Check voltage on battery with van off - 12.1v. Start van and it drops to 11.5ish. Remove battery positive lead and it dies instantly. At $801 OEM new part, $470 for a record I really want to be sure before I buy one! Thanks all.