What are the signs your alternator is going out?
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| Causes of car dynamo malfunction and signs of damage |
What causes damage to car alternator? What would cause a new alternator to fail? What sound does a bad alternator make?
The car dynamo (Alternator) is an essential and important part of supplying all parts of the car that depend on the electric current with the necessary energy. This is in addition to permanently charging the car battery so that the car remains able to move when it is running, and if the dynamo malfunctions, it leads to a defect and a lack of current necessary for the car to work, so in this article we will present the reasons for the dynamo’s failure, and signs of its damage.
-- Causes of dynamo failure
The following things cause damage to the dynamo:
1. Damage to the IC Regulator
The integrated circuit regulator regulates the amount of electric current appropriately for the car battery without increasing or decreasing it, to keep it from burning and malfunctions, so damage to this circuit causes many problems for the battery, which will affect the movement of the car.
2. Wear of carbon brushes
Carbon brushes conduct electric current to the rotating parts of the rotor inside the dynamo from the battery, but with the passage of time on them and the frequent friction of the brushes with the different parts, they will wear out and reduce their effectiveness in conducting the current, which will damage the dynamo and damage the battery as an inevitable matter.
3. Damaged or burned stator and rotor coils
The coils of these members are made of copper wires coated with insulating varnish, and they generate the magnetic field when the electric current passes through them, as the stator works to produce the electric current, so that the rotating member produces the magnetic field, so the damage to their wires causes the inability of the dynamo to produce the electricity needed for the car and damage its valve The electrolyte, thus failing to charge the car battery.
4. The dynamo rollers are clogged and immobilized
Rollers contribute to making the movement of the rotor members easy and smooth, and they are installed on both ends of the rotor usually, and they are exposed over time to rust and liquids, in addition to the end of their lifespan, things that will lead to damage and affect the movement of the rotor, which will wear out the dynamo belt and damage its wires interior.
5. Bend and warp of the dynamo pulley
The pulley connects the dynamo to the engine through a belt located on it, so that the dynamo begins to rotate as soon as the engine is running, and if part of it is deformed, it affects the movement of the belt negatively, or it slips from it and ruptures it as well, which will lead to the dynamo stopping working.
-- Signs of dynamo damage
The following things in the car indicate a problem with the dynamo:
1. The appearance of a light signal on the dashboard
A light signal appears in the form of a battery or the word (ALT) or the word (GEN) in English to indicate that the dynamo is not able to continuously produce enough current or produce too much current, as the amount of current it produces must be between 13-14.5 volts.
2. Car parts lighting problems
Headlights or speedometer lights dim, turn off or turn on randomly more than usual due to problems with the dynamo's production of electrical current, and lighting problems may appear as alternating flashes of high and low light, especially when vehicle parts are turned Electricity at the same time, such as using the window buttons while the air conditioner or radio is on.
3. The car stopped working because of the battery
If the battery stops working or becomes damaged, it causes the car to be unable to start itself and suddenly shuts off, and this may be caused by a problem with the dynamo, especially if it works for a short period and then turns off, so the dynamo should be repaired before it is too late and the battery is completely damaged.
4. Loosen and damaged dynamo wires
This problem appears as follows:
- illumination intensity of lamps; This is due to problems in the electrical wires that conduct the current from the dynamo to the battery, which will lead to the dynamo producing a larger amount of electric current to compensate for the shortage, which will raise the temperature of the wires and burn them.
- Damage to the rectifier diode responsible for converting the alternating current produced by the dynamo into the direct current needed by the electrical parts of the vehicle.
5. Problems in the dynamo belt
The dynamo belt may derail or slip, or it may show signs of wear and tear.
6. Squeaking sounds
Squeaking sounds occur when the dynamo is damaged due to the friction of the belt with its pulley if it is bent.
7. Burning smells
Two types of burning smells are emitted when one of the parts of the dynamo is damaged, and they are as follows:
- The smell of electrical burning due to the dynamo working hard on it, or due to the burning of its internal wires in the stator or rotor.
- The smell of burning rubber due to the friction of the belt, or it may be emitted from the mucous covering covering the wires.
8. Problems in the operation of the electric car parts
When there are problems with the dynamo, it becomes difficult to open and close the windows using their buttons, or turn on the radio, so it is advised to avoid using them until the malfunction is fixed, to save the energy produced by the dynamo until the specialists are reached.
car dynamo problems
The most common vehicle dynamo problem is a worn-out commutator and carbon brushes. Brushes wear out and shrink in size, weakening the connection between the spring (which retains the brushes) and the commutator. A spark, often known as 'Arching,' is caused by a lack of connection.
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