Last updated on August 1st, 2023 at 07:33 am
If you are wondering what the risks of driving with a bad alternator are and if a car can run with a bad alternator then this is the post for you. The alternator is an important part of a car’s electrical system and it is responsible for charging the battery.
The alternator can go bad as a result of overcharging or undercharging. The most common issue that affects the alternator is insufficient charging of the battery. And when it comes to the question, can a car run with a bad alternator? An alternator that provides poor charge to the battery will destroy the vehicle’s electrical components as time goes on. Re
Read this: Can A Bad Alternator Cause Low Oil Pressure
Overcharging can also affect an alternator even though it is less common. It damages the battery and electrical system more if it is not fixed on time.
Some of the signs you should look out for to notice a bad alternator are:
- Problems starting the engine of the car
- Dimming of the interior and exterior lights.
- Slow power windows
- A growling sound
- Smell of burning rubber.
Can a Car Run With a Bad Alternator
The answer to this question is YES, a car with a bad alternator can run for a short period of time when it has a failed or bad alternator And this is because the alternator is what charges the car battery when the engine is on and running; once the battery gets depleted, your car will die and will not restart until the battery is charged or you jump start the car with a different.
Is it safe to drive with a failing alternator
When your alternator begins to fail and it has not completely gone bad then it is ok to still drive your car for some time with a failing alternator. However when the alternator has completely stopped working, then you will only be able to drive your car for a short period of time before the vehicle stalls and will not ignite at all because your car battery would be dead as a result of the bad alternator.
Risks of driving with a bad alternator
Driving your vehicle with a bad alternator is not an ideal thing to do because doing so can lead to a range of issues to another part of the car including your car engine. Some of the risks associated with driving with a bad alternator are interference with the vehicle’s electrical components, difficulty in starting the car engine, later on, dead battery. This is the reason when you notice symptoms that the alternator is faulty, you should take the car in for repair immediately. It is very dangerous and not recommended to keep driving a car with a bad alternator. For those whose car has complete electric power steering, driving the car can be dangerous to you and those around you. It will be better to tow the vehicle to the mechanic.
What happens if you drive Your Car with a Bad Alternator
When driving with a bad alternator, it can cause your vehicle to lose power on the power steering wheel and this will mean you lose control of the vehicle which is dangerous for your and other drivers. This one is common if your vehicle is a newer car that comes with electrical power steering which means a failed alternator while driving simply makes it lose all power steering. In cases like this, please do not keep driving the car; it is best to look for where to park and seek a mechanic help because continuous driving in such conditions can cause your engine to overheat, which in turn causes severe damage to you can engine and other parts. Related Article: How to Test the Alternator with a Voltmeter, Screwdriver & Multimeter
How long can you drive with a bad alternator bearing
How long you can drive with a bad alternator bearing is really dependent on how far gone the problem with the bearing is or not. If the faulty bearing is in the early stage, you might drive for days, weeks, or longer though there are risks to have in mind which I have shown above. And if the bad alternator bearing is at its advanced stage, they might not even be able to drive at all because you may have already overstretched your early-stage driving warning limit. And if you continue to drive the car in this condition at this stage, it is exceedingly risky and can lead to engine overheating, smoking, and finally permanent damage to the alternator which will prevent the car from powering.
Concluding on can a car run with a bad alternator
I have been able to show some of the risks of driving with a bad alternator and also answered your question can a car run with a bad alternator if it can I gave you a range of how long and then How long you drive with a bad alternator bearing. I just hope you were able to find what you are looking for if you still have some concerns please read this article on What Can Damage an Alternator and this Guide On How To Clean Alternator if your alternator is not yet damaged but is showing signs that something is wrong so you can prevent further damages to your alternator.
Hi dear, my name is Jeffery Ekweghi, and I am a certified mechanic and autobody parts technician. I created this site to share my expertise and experience with car lovers looking to resolve their car-related issues. I am certified in private cars and heavy-duty commercial vehicles. I have worked as a mechanic since 2015 and have experience in vehicle brands like Subaru, Jeep, Toyota, TATA, BMW, Mazda, Honda, Nissan, Kia, TVs, and Others; however, I primarily specialize in Toyota vehicles.
