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Compare quotes and save money. It's that simple. When drivers think of a vehicle’s electrical power, they usually think of the car battery the most. However, the battery produces the least amount of energy for a car. The supply of your vehicle’s main accessories and electrical components comes from a part called the alternator. In this article, we would like to explain what an alternator does, how long does it take to replace an alternator, and how you can tell if it’s not working correctly. What Is an Alternator & What Does It Do?When you start your vehicle, the battery generates the necessary electrical charge for ignition to occur. After that, your battery only serves as an electrical reserve in case of a problem with the alternator. In general, the alternator is the ‘king’ of a car’s power supply. The alternator; In its simplest form, is the part that converts the mechanical energy produced by the internal combustion engine into electrical energy. The electricity that drives the vehicles’ electronics is the electricity produced by the alternator. The alternator, connected to the automobile’s engine, is a generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy by using the engine’s rotational force. You can easily understand the system if you think of it as an electric motor working in reverse. Your battery only provides the electricity needed for the electric starter to start the vehicle. After the ignition, your alternator begins to produce electricity for all the systems that need it. It also prevents the battery from being exhausted by continuously charging it while the vehicle is in motion. Depending on your vehicle’s make and model, a seasoned professional mechanic should be able to replace your alternator in about 2 hours. However, most shops in the USA will charge you for a full day’s work. If you decide to change it yourself at home without much experience, it should take you around 3-4 hours, depending on your vehicle’s make and model. If you have no mechanical experience, please do not attempt to replace your alternator yourself; you can damage your car or hurt yourself while working with electricity. How Long Does an Alternator Last?Alternators last longer than car batteries. However, automakers tend to give different answers when asked about the lifespan of an alternator. On average, you can expect your car’s alternator to last 4 to 7 years, but that depends largely on how often you drive the vehicle. Most cars need an alternator replacement between 40K miles and 80K miles. So if we talk about a brand new vehicle, it will probably not have problems until it reaches the 80K miles range.  How to Know If Your Alternator is Bad?The alternator is a small but essential component that powers all your car’s electrical components and accessories. If it stops working, electrical accessories may fail, and the vehicle may even be completely disabled. Dimming/Flickering LightsBecause the alternator provides electrical power to your vehicle, one of the ominous signs is flickering lights on the instrument panel. Also, if your headlights dim and flicker when idling but become brighter as the engine speed rises, this is a sure sign of your alternator underperforming. Other accessories, such as the radio or climate controls, may also not work properly. Any problem with the electronics in your car potentially indicates you have a lousy alternator. Grinding SoundsInside your vehicle’s alternator is a rotor that rotates to create a constant, alternating electric current. If it is somehow broken, not lubricated, or damaged, this can cause increased friction inside the alternator. And therefore it will have to work much harder to generate electricity. In addition, the broken surface may cause grinding noises that you may hear during the operation. Sliding Belt / Bad PulleysThe rotor rotating inside the alternator gets the power from the engine. As the motor spins, it also turns a belt. This belt also drives the steering hydraulic pump and the air conditioning other than the alternator in most cars. Problems with this belt or alternator pulley can also mean problems for the alternator. However, there can also be many other reasons for belt and pulley problems. In case of such problems, any garage you take the car to will do a more thorough inspection of all the belt accessories inside the hood to find out the problem. Shutting Off While DrivingIf all the lights and accessories in your car start to go out on their own and the vehicle dies on the road while driving, this is a severe electrical problem attributed to a bad alternator. If the alternator is not doing its job, the battery will discharge until there is no electricity left in the system. Then the vehicle dies. It will not start again because the battery does not have the energy required for the starter motor. You will need to find a fast charging method instead. Check out our FAQ section below to find out what you can do if that happens to you. Battery Warning LightA red battery warning light will illuminate your vehicle’s instrument panel if there is a problem while charging your vehicle’s battery. You might think that the stimulus is a problem with your car battery due to the nature of the light, but that would mean the same thing as an alternator problem. The alternator and battery are directly connected. The battery stores electricity, and it will only store enough to start your car. The alternator keeps the engine and battery charged. Any problem with your car’s battery could be due to a fault in the alternator. How to Replace Your Alternator?As we explained above, when you are repairing your alternator, you will be dealing with electricity, and it can be dangerous if you don’t know what you are doing. If that’s the case, ask for some help from a professional. It’s not really a complicated process, but you will need some experience working on cars if you want to do it yourself safely. You can also read step-by-step instructions below but always remember to check your manufacturer’s instructions as well because this whole repair changes significantly according to the make and model of your car. If you need a visual guide, ChrisFix explains it well on his YouTube video: Tools NeededYou are going to need some basic tools for this repair. It’s best to have them all available before starting the process. Here are the most commonly used tools for alternator replacement:
Prices pulled from the Amazon Product Advertising API on: You’ll also need replacement parts for your specific make and model, which may include a new alternator, battery, belts, tensioner, bolts, cables and anything else required. PreparationFirst, disconnect the battery cable on the positive terminal and locate the alternator inside your engine bay. If it is closer to the ground and you can’t reach it from the top, make sure to park your car on a level surface and jack it up. Always remember to pull your handbrake and put your car on jack stands. Never get under a vehicle supported only by a jack; it won’t end well. Remove Your AlternatorUse a socket wrench and loosen the belt by moving the alternator pulley. Next, remove the bolts holding the alternator in place. Depending on the model of your bolt and the way you removed it, the elapsed time will be between two and four minutes. You can use a socket wrench or a ratchet to remove the bolts while holding the alternator in place. Remove the alternator after removing the nuts entirely and disconnecting all electrical connections. Depending on the model of your bolts, the elapsed time should be between two and four minutes. Install Your New AlternatorCheck the new alternator by comparing it with the old one. Make sure the voltage level of the regulator and the pulley match the old one. If it doesn’t match, go back to your place of purchase and replace the alternator with the appropriate one. Install the new alternator by reversing the process. Connect the electrical plugs and wires to the new alternator, slide it into place, and start attaching the bolts. Replace the alternator pulley while installing the bolts and ensure the belt is aligned correctly. Use the socket wrench to get the slack you need and put the belt on top of the alternator pulley. Then release the pulley to maintain tension on the belt. Reconnect the battery cable at the positive terminal. Then, start your car and ensure the alternator is charging the battery. How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Alternator?The pricing depends largely on your car’s make and model. They start from $100 and they run up to $400! If you buy your parts from the dealership, they will cost more. The labor should cost around $120-200. So, we can safely say that depending on the make and the model of your vehicle, it will cost you between $350 – $1000. FAQsWhat should I do if my alternator stops working?It would be best if you tried driving to your mechanic to fix it immediately. I’m saying “try” because if your alternator stops working, your battery is supplying all of your car’s electrical power, so it won’t last long. Also, if you turn off your engine, you might not be able to turn it back on and need a tow. What should I do if my alternator is good but my battery gets drained?When you leave your car undriven for a long time, it may not start due to the battery drainage. If that’s the case, your car won’t have the power it needs for the starter motor. If you can jump start or push-start your car, drive your car for about 20 minutes at 40 mph. Your alternator should be able to charge your battery, but replace your battery if it keeps happening in the following days. Where should I get a new alternator?You can check your local and online auto parts stores. Just know the exact part number you need or have the alternator in your hands when you are buying. If my battery warning light turns on, do I need a new alternator?Several factors can cause the battery light in your car to turn on while driving. It can mean that your alternator is not working correctly, but it can also mean corrosion at battery connections or loose cables. So, make sure to figure out the exact problem before buying any parts. How Do I Test My Car’s Battery?You will need a voltmeter to check the state of your battery. First, make sure the ignition switch is off, and all vehicle lights are off. Next, connect the red or positive voltmeter wire to the positive terminal of your battery and connect the black or Negative voltmeter wire to your negative terminal. If your battery voltage is less than 12.45 volts (%75), the voltage is low, and your battery needs to charge. SummaryIt should take around 2 hours to replace an alternator after you’ve done it once or twice. You should be careful when dealing with electricity, and don’t forget to check your car’s manual to locate everything before starting the process. Always remember to use OEM quality or original parts when replacing an alternator. Check out some of these interesting topics: Do Motorcycles Have Alternators? Can You Jumpstart A Car With A Bad Alternator? What Causes Alternator Overcharging And How Do You Fix It? How long does it take for a mechanic to change an alternator?Replacing an alternator will take a professional about two hours. However, that doesn't mean your car will only be at the shop for two hours—there may be a wait before a mechanic can address your ride. Plus, if the shop needs to get parts delivered, it will take even longer.
Can you replace an alternator in a day?The make and model of your vehicle will determine the exact time it takes to replace the alternator, but usually, one to two hours is sufficient.
Is it easy to change an alternator?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 much does it cost to replace an alternator?An alternator is on the lower end of the scale and, depending on several factors, the cost to replace the alternator can range somewhere between $100 and $1,000.
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How long does it take to replace a alternator?
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