this might sound like a dumb question but i never noticed before, well my old alternator went out on my car and so i replaced it with a new one, now that its in, i had the car running for about 5 minutes everything was good, but the alternator seems really hott, normal?
2007-08-27 15:17:40 · 8 answers · asked by john b 2 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Battery is brand new by the way :)
2007-08-27 15:24:42 · update #1
it's hot because you likely damaged it....you should not replace any alternator without a fully charged battery....It can fry the alternator immediaely or very soon after you complete the hookup...not sayin this is what you did...just saying this would be a good possibility
2007-08-27 15:22:58 · answer #1 · answered by explorer4x4guy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
the alternator will get good and warm to the touch as the engine heat will cause it to get somewhat hot, but if it is hot, as in too hot to touch, check your wires, are they corroded, are your terminals, do you see a green crust on them, are they of the right gauge, all of these factors can cause resistance which will cause your alternator to over heat. The more resistance, the harder your alternator has to work, to "push" the current thru the circuit making it over heat and causing early failure. If needed replace or just clean your terminals with a wire brush (disconnet battery first) then you can clean the posts or bolts, do the same for the wires if corroded (the green crud), check terminals and wires at the alternator also. If you have done all these things and the wires are of the right gauge (the bigger the less resistance), then perhaps it has something to do with your regulator which in all probability is internal, in that case it is best to take it back to where your got it and have them test it. Good luck.
2007-08-27 22:59:39 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes especially if it's trying to charge your battery that isn't fully charged . The alternator is usually putting out electric power all the time with the electronics in newer cars are always using electricity. the pull of the electric field that is constantly building and collapsing acts like a magnet that pulls on the armature and this charging, heats the parts inside.
2007-08-27 22:37:40 · answer #3 · answered by redd headd 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's trying to recharge your battery from the other alternator not charging it before.
Check it again after you have had a chance to drive the car for a while to recharge the battery.
If tomorow morning you start your car, and it gets realy hot again, then you might want to look into it a little more.
But for now, don't worry about it. It's simply charging a drained battery.
2007-08-27 22:28:41 · answer #4 · answered by Mr. KnowItAll 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes. Alternators normally get hot. Keep a close eye on it for awhile just in case. A good test is turn on everything all at same time, lights, radio, power windows, etc. If you see smoke, or smell burning, you got a problem. Sometimes they make an awful squealing noise under stress, esp. brand new ones untl broken in.
2007-08-27 22:26:26 · answer #5 · answered by wildmick21 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you need peace of mind, get it checked for output. If it's excessive it will damage the unit.
use an exterior charger and top off the battery, you may just be putting back whats been used. (CHARGE)
2007-08-27 22:29:16 · answer #6 · answered by Wisdom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
if it is charging and you dont hear any grinding noises it should be ok cause the heat could be coming from the motor of you car...just make sure it isn't making any grinding noises or anything like that..
2007-08-27 22:23:18 · answer #7 · answered by nipper2814 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
everything under the hood gets hot from the engine. It's normal unless you can smell it (smells like an electrical fire)
2007-08-27 22:22:16 · answer #8 · answered by Cruiser 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋