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The battery provides your vehicle with the juice that the engine needs every day to start. When the battery starts to run out, you can easily replace it. On the other hand, a bad alternator will fail to charge your battery while the car is running. If the alternator breaks, it will cost more to repair than a dead battery. The signs of a bad alternator versus a bad battery are similar, making it difficult to diagnose the exact problem. It can help to know the different warning signs that things are going bad.
Signs You Have a Bad Battery
Almost everyone has had to do it at some pointjump start a car batteryor see someone do it. Let's say you try to start your car in the morning and it won't start. You may have left the interior lights on all night, draining your battery, but that could also mean your battery is dying.
According to Matthew Hart, owner ofAxelWise.comSigns that your battery is going bad include:
- The car is difficult to start.
- Once started, the car does not hold the charge for long.
- Dimming or flickering taillights and headlights.
- Dim the interior and dashboard lighting.
What causes a battery to fail?
Factors that contribute to car battery failure include:
- Extreme temperatures
- Irregular use
- Bad maintenance
Leaving the lights on while the car is not running or if a faulty part causes a "parasitic shock" can drain the battery. Parasitic pull occurs when you accidentally leave a light on or anything else that consumes power in your car, slowly draining the battery.
AutoZonereports that the average lifespan of a car battery is typically between three and five years, and some manufacturers recommend a five-year replacement schedule. It can shorten the lifespan if you have additional accessories connected to a car battery, such as an internal inverter. You can also do things with itextend battery life, such as driving long distances regularly and occasionally, making sure all lights are off when you don't need them, and protecting your car from extreme temperature changes. If you notice any problems with your car, look at the battery itself. Patrick McCann outWeTryTires.comsays, "There may be corrosion around the points on the battery." This corrosion could be a sign of degradation, but it could also be that the battery needs to be cleaned. Your vehicle may also have a warning light on your dashboard if your battery is starting to die.
Signs You Have a Bad Alternator
Your car's battery may hold a charge, but the alternator charges it while the car is on. This means you can drive all day without any problems, but leaving the light on at night will drain the battery. If the alternator fails, the battery will no longer be charged while the engine is running.
Here are a few ways to determine if your alternator is bad:
- One of the most obvious symptoms is if the car stalls after starting. The alternator must provide enough current to run the vehicle, even with a bad battery. If not, your alternator needs to be checked.
- “If your alternator goes bad, you may see the voltage gauge on your dashboard start to drop, or your car may shake as you drive,” says Matthew Hart. The vibrations are usually caused by misfires in the spark plug, caused by a lack of power from the generator.
- Another way to determine if you have a bad alternator is to check the battery voltage after charging. “If the battery voltage is low, replace it with a new battery or charge the battery to the recommended 14.2 to 14.7 volts,” says McCann. “Then try driving the vehicle and see if the voltage is out of this range afterward. If so, that is a sign of a bad alternator.”
What causes an alternator to fail?
The work of the generator causes significant wear and tear. Factors such as heat, vibration and electrical surges can eventually cause the generator to fail.
According toRestore Smithyour car's alternator may fail as a result of:
- Age and usage wear
- Engine oil from power steering fluid leaks onto the alternator
- Salt and water penetration, especially if located on the bottom of the engine
Can you start a car with a bad alternator?
Yes. You can start your car with a bad alternator. However, according toAAA, your vehicle will likely stall if the battery doesn't have enough power to run it.
How long can a car run with a bad alternator or battery?
It is impossible to say how long a vehicle will run with a bad alternator or battery. With a bad alternator, the car can quickly run out of battery. But as soon as the battery is empty, the car switches off. If you have a bad battery, it can hold a charge from the generator for a short time, butJD powerrecommends that if you jump-started your car, you let it run for at least 30 minutes so that it has enough time to charge the battery.
How to fix a bad battery or alternator
If you have a bad battery, you can buy a new one at almost any auto parts store. Many stores will replace the battery as part of the purchase price. You can also replace it yourself if you know how to do it. Do your research to find the best battery for your needs. Repairing an alternator can be more expensive than replacing the battery. The price you pay dependsmake and model of your caras well as parts and labor costs.
If your battery or generator is empty,take your vehicle to a mechanicand have it taken care of. While the signs of a bad car battery versus alternator can be obvious, they can also point to other, more subtle mechanical problems.
