Most alternators will last between 80,000 and 150,000 miles — or about seven years. However, your driving habits and the area where you live could wear it out prematurely.
If your vehicle immediately stalls, it's probably a bad alternator. An alternator should last between 80,000 to 150,000 miles, which usually means around 7-10 years. However, if your vehicle is driven hard, your alternator may need to be replaced sooner.
Factors Affecting Alternator Lifespan
Driving Habits: Aggressive driving, excessive use of electrical accessories, and frequently operating at high RPMs can put additional strain on the alternator, potentially shortening its lifespan.
Alternators typically need replacement every 7 to 10 years or 80,000 to 150,000 miles. How do I know if an alternator needs replacing? Signs include dim lights, a dead battery, strange noises under the hood, and battery warning lights.
Replacing the alternator is usually a straightforward job, requiring very little mechanical experience and only common tools. On the difficulty scale, it's usually down there with changing your own oil or a serpentine belt; it's a great beginner maintenance task.
Alternators can go bad suddenly, or slowly over time. If your alternator is slowly going bad over time there are some warning signs you can look out for.
Alternators can average anywhere from $100 to $350 depending on make and model. Most vehicles will have an average cost between $350-400 for the total job of an alternator replacement if no other parts need to be replaced. If the serpentine belt is included in the process, add another $20 to $50 to your bill.
The alternator's job involves considerable wear and tear. Factors such as heat, vibration, and electrical spikes can eventually cause the alternator to fail.
Voltage Testing
With the engine off, you should get a reading around 12 volts. Now start the engine – the voltage reading should increase to between 13.5-15 volts. If it stays around 12 volts, that indicates your alternator is not charging properly.
But when the engine is off, the alternator can't recharge the battery, allowing little electrical mishaps to drain your battery entirely.
Getting your alternator tested at AutoZone is simple and hassle-free. An AutoZoner can test your alternator while its still in your vehicle, saving you the hassle of removing it and re-installing it if it's still good. Or, if you have the alternator out of your vehicle already, we can test it on the bench instead.
If you need to replace your vehicle's alternator, there might be a few more parts you'll want to replace as well. We recommend replacing the serpentine belt, tensioner, and idler pulleys along with your alternator. Replacing all these parts at the same time will save you money and time in the long run.
An early warning sign that your alternator is going bad could be dim, flickering lights. This symptom could show up on any or all of your dashboard lights, reading lights, headlights or other lights. The alternator is supposed to provide the electricity for your car's lights.
Idling for long periods can cause several issues like engine wear and tear, fuel contamination, battery & alternator strain and increased emissions.
Overloading, often caused by numerous aftermarket accessories, can greatly shorten the alternator's lifespan by increasing the electrical load beyond its design capabilities. Moreover, battery maintenance can't be overlooked. A failing battery forces the alternator to work harder to maintain power, accelerating wear.
Can You Drive a Car With a Bad Alternator? Yes, but you shouldn't. A bad alternator can overcharge your battery, damaging it to the point that you'll need to replace it. Plus, you want to avoid stalling or getting stranded somewhere when the alternator finally dies completely.
Yes, you can jumpstart a car with a bad alternator, but there are some important things to keep in mind: how to know if your alternator is bad. If your car starts but dies shortly after, or if you notice dimming lights and strange electrical issues, these could be signs of a failing alternator.
How long does it take to replace an alternator? In most cases, this job takes one to two hours. The alternator attaches to the side of the engine, and is driven by a belt. To remove the alternator, the belt is removed, the wires are disconnected, and the alternator is unbolted from its bracket.
Replacing an alternator can cost you several hundred bucks at the local repair shop, but it's one of the simplest repairs you can do at home. With a few tools and about an hour you can swap it out yourself -- and keep your dough in your pocket where it belongs.
How long you can drive without an alternator greatly depends on several factors, including the health of the battery, its state of charge and the electrical demands of your vehicle. On average, you could get anywhere from a few minutes to an hour of driving time.
Improvements to alternator efficiency can reduce the amount of power drawn from the engine and thus lead to improved fuel consumption. Remy International Inc. Electrical power on a vehicle is not free. It comes as a direct result of consuming fuel within the engine to drive the alternator.