Can i drive car with faulty alternator?

dwayneburke

Hi Have a 1999 astra and the battery light came on last night and when i tried to start it this morning the battery was dead. Im taking for granted that it is the alternator but im no expert.

Going to ring garage to see when they can have a look at it but in the mean time i have a battery pack to jump start it in the meantime. I know some cars have the alternator attached to the cooling system but im almost sure thats not the case here but as i said im no expert.

Question 1: How much am i looking at getting it replaced and would the likes of Advance pitstop look after this?

Question 2: Am i hurting the engine in doing this? will it cause any long term problems charging thr battery with battery pack?

Tks

JohnCleary

To check if its the alternator:

When the engine is running, pop the bonnet and put a multi-meter accross the 2 battery terminals. It should read 13.8v, if it doesnt, its the alternator thats dead

There could be something else drawing a current though

Hope this helps

Avns1s

Check that your fanbelt isn't broken. At least that way it'll be driving the water pump. So long as you carry the starter pack with you and don't mind getting out to start the car if you let it cut out, then you should be ok. It is unlikely to do any further damage to your alternator or anything else. This will work for a short journey. Remember, your car needs electric power to run the ignition, radio, lights, etc, so before too long there wont be enough in the battery to do this, never mind start it, then your looking for a pull!!!

My advice, go get it repaired before taking it anywhere other than to the garage.

BRM

Id get that looked at asap if your alternator is gone you could risk cooking your battery on a long journey.

SonOfPerdition

dwayneburke wrote:

Hi Have a 1999 astra and the battery light came on last night and when i tried to start it this morning the battery was dead. Im taking for granted that it is the alternator but im no expert.

Going to ring garage to see when they can have a look at it but in the mean time i have a battery pack to jump start it in the meantime. I know some cars have the alternator attached to the cooling system but im almost sure thats not the case here but as i said im no expert.

Question 1: How much am i looking at getting it replaced and would the likes of Advance pitstop look after this?

Question 2: Am i hurting the engine in doing this? will it cause any long term problems charging thr battery with battery pack?

Tks

Can be alternator or the rectifier. The rectifier converts the AC output from the alternator to the DC voltage usaed by your car electrics.

But .. have a little think about what you are suggesting.

You start the car with the battery pack . .which probably charges your battery a little while your at it. Once you remove this battery pack you are now relying on the battery to supply your electrical power (Assuming there is no output from the rectifier).

The car will drain the battery and die at some point on your journey. You might get away with a short journey. You may become a road hazard depending on road-position/speed you are doing when it happens.

Not a sensible thing to do.

zilog_jones

Yeah, I'd be very surprised if a modern car with engine management, electronic fuel injection and all that junk can run long without a working alternator....

maidhc

SonOfPerdition wrote:

The car will drain the battery and die at some point on your journey. You might get away with a short journey. You may become a road hazard depending on road-position/speed you are doing when it happens.

That is very true. Battery power is needed to run most modern cars, and they will die when it drains.

dwayneburke

Folks

Played it safe and monday morning drove it straight to garage about 8 miles away. Rang me today to say it was part in the alternator that was faulty so they got the part and all is fine.

Took the oppportunity to get 2 new tryes and the tracking done also so all is good

Dwayne