The alternator has a built in regulator as far as I can tell, I am weak on auto knowledge but have the manual. Can a short anywhere within the car cause the alternator to fail?
2006-10-14 16:18:51 · 5 answers · asked by James W 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
i own a repair shop,and it has to be a really bad short to kill a good alternator on any vehicle,the alternator will not directly go out because of a shorted wire,the battery is what does the voltage feed on a car,the alternator keeps it charged up,if you directly ground the positive side of the alternator out it will burn it out,but this is hard to do,unless your jumping another car off,other wise a typical short in a car will not burn the alternator up,it will drain a battery real fast though,i do this for a living 6 days a week and believe me i have seen a lot of bad shorts in cars,but i have never seen one completely kill an alternator,and i have done this for 36 yrs, good luck with it ,i hope this help,s.
2006-10-14 16:43:35 · answer #1 · answered by dodge man 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Most alternators these days are internally regulated, and yes a short to ground especially a high amperage one will kill your alternator. Most shorts should be stopped at the fuse panel, but on some circuits there could be high amperage. If you're blowing fuses, check that circuit first. If your knowledge isn't good, try taking the car to a reputable electrical shop. Remember, a reputable shop, not a friend of a cousin of a friend of an uncle who works on cars part time.
2006-10-14 23:27:54 · answer #2 · answered by ron k 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
umm i seen your post, and maybe this will help. there might be a wire going from the starter to the alternator or something like that? i helped a family out like dec 23-4 once, the wire hade grounded out and burnt. its fairly thick, but anyway, they didnt even need the alternator or battery they had bought. hope itll help, i seem to remember it running down the front side of the engine and shorted on the motor mount.
the fellow asked what do i owe you? i answered you owe me an xmas present to your son.
2006-10-15 00:55:14 · answer #3 · answered by l8ntpianist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it can. Even if a fuse blows, it can still take out the alternator.
2006-10-14 23:24:38 · answer #4 · answered by Bostonian In MO 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, if you've shorted a fusible link.
2006-10-14 23:22:31 · answer #5 · answered by Daryl C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋