Comments on: 5 Causes of an Alternator Not Charging

By: Steve

Steve — Wed, 10 Aug 2022 23:14:50 +0000

In reply to Harold Scumby. This really happened?

By: Chai

Chai — Mon, 04 Apr 2022 12:06:54 +0000

In reply to james c berry. Did you fix it? How?

By: Harold Scumby

Harold Scumby — Mon, 24 Jan 2022 16:21:08 +0000

You left out the stupidest reason ever: The battery light on the dash burns out. I dunno if this applies to all cars but It happened to me and I learned of other instances. I knew it was burned out but I didnt think anything so moronic could be possible: The thing that is supposed to tell you your alternator isn’t working causing it not to work.

By: Sean A Schmidt

Sean A Schmidt — Tue, 04 Jan 2022 15:44:46 +0000

In reply to james c berry. It's obvious that an alternator has internal parts strategically designed and assembled to work together in order to produce energy commonly known as electricity. The most practical way for this to happen is by spinning the pulley that is attached to the conjunction of internal parts designed to utilize friction between a copper coil windings add metal brushes. Anyway, if these parts ( bearings, starter, coil windings brushes etc.) wear and become Off canter or off center, they won't produce enough electricity as it once did. The accessory belt might end up up stretched until it no longer makes a constant contact with every pulley. When this happens, it's very likely for damage caused by the belt to continue until these accessories no longer function correctly. Theoretically, if the belt is tight enough to create too much force on the pulleys. This excessive force ( pressure ) can cause the bearings to become out of round. This pattern of spinning motion starts a chain reaction leading to damage that renders the alternator useless. I'm certain that the alternator relies on each revelation of the pulley to be consistent but the speed for which it turns may not matter.

By: John Ludick

John Ludick — Thu, 23 Sep 2021 08:06:47 +0000

Hi Sir
Your advice is very helpful especially for people like myself with limited knowledge I thank you it is much appreciated.

By: james c berry

james c berry — Mon, 20 Sep 2021 05:04:13 +0000

2004 Kia Optima. Alternator will not show more than 11 volts at the rear post. We have put in 4 different alts. Same issue. Will not charge new battery. Replaced alt belt stock with replacement but it seems small when installed. When installing belt it has to be squeezed on and then tensioned but seems to have a lot of tension arc still available on the armature device. Would a longer belt increase voltage? I am a home mechanic and have built many engines but this has me completely stumped.

By: larry

larry — Thu, 09 Sep 2021 20:14:57 +0000

My car is 2011 camry all stock at 367k miles right now. Based upon the article, the alternator is way due for my car and the battery is at 3 years old. I tested the battery with engine not running at 13. With engine on, I get 13.5 . With my case, I will change the 2 most obvious first and that is either the battery or alternator. I’m doing the alternator this weekend. Oh and flashing battery light was on and off, flickering then turned off for 1 month and now acting up again but the light is now off. I hope changing my alternator (thinking it is due of old age) will give me a 14 volt reading while engine is running. I just hoping it is not no cable wiring issue.

By: Sean

Sean — Mon, 19 Jul 2021 17:22:16 +0000

In reply to Monique. Is the bolt rusted? Try soaking the bolt with some penetrating lubricant such as PB Blaster or Liquid Wrench to loosen it up a bit. Letting the product sit for a few hours will maximize its effectiveness.

By: Monique

Monique — Sun, 18 Jul 2021 16:48:46 +0000

In reply to Usman. C. M. The bolt to Nissan Altima won’t come off to take alternator off my uncle is trying to fix his car it won’t turn on

By: Sean

Sean — Fri, 04 Jun 2021 15:44:37 +0000

In reply to Tracy.

I don’t think the P2103 code has to do with the battery that isn’t charging. Sounds like you have a poor connection somewhere in the charging system. It could be a dirty or corroded connector to the alternator or battery, or it may be a bad ground. The shop should probably do some electrical diagnostics to see where the issue is.

The battery should read about 14 V while the car is running. If you read 14 V, drive the car around the block, park, and take another reading while the car is running. Does the voltage drop at all?