How Do I Know If My Alternator Belt Is Broken? - Fixanswer

Battery light is on. When the battery light on your instrument cluster comes on, you will need to pay attention. …
Dimming or flickering interior lights. The lights on the inside of your car are used primarily during the nighttime hours. …
Engine stalls.

What does a broken alternator belt sound like?

Symptoms of a broken serpentine belt include

loud slapping, squealing or knocking noises coming

from under the hood. The battery-shaped charging system warning light might also come on because the alternator will stop charging the battery. … This causes the belt to start slipping from time to time.

Can I drive my car if the alternator belt is broken?

The short answer is

yes

, your car will start even if the serpentine belt is broken or missing. To get the car going, the battery sends power to your starter motor. The starter motor provides enough power to get your engine moving and the combustion process started.

What happens when the alternator belt goes bad?

The serpentine belt is also known as an alternator belt, fan belt, or accessory drive belt. … If your serpentine belt wears out,

becomes damaged or contaminated, or breaks, engine accessories will not be able to spin at the proper speed, leading to decreased power to the electrical system

.

What is the sound of a bad alternator?

If you're hearing a

grinding sound

in your car, this could indicate that the alternator is going bad. The grinding sound may be caused by a worn-out bearing. Your car can also make a whining sound when the voltage regulator is sending signals to the alternator to charge more than is necessary.

What does a car sound like when the alternator goes out?

If you hear a

small rattling or grinding sound

when your engine is running, this could be caused by a loose bearing in your alternator. Conversely, if you hear a constant high whine while you are driving, this is usually a sign that your alternator is failing to distribute the necessary power throughout your vehicle.

How do I check my car alternator?

An

illuminated dashboard light

can indicate a problem with an automobile charging system. However, a very simple way to check if the alternator is working is to run the car and disconnect the positive terminal of the battery. If the vehicle stops running, then you probably have a bad alternator.

How do I know if my alternator belt is tight enough?

Hold the belt between finger and thumb at this point and move it from side to side. See how much it deflects at the centre of the run.

If it moves more than 1/2 in. (13 mm) it is too slack

– any less movement and it is too tight.

How do you test a car alternator?

Get a multimeter.
Set your multimeter to DCV (DC Volts) above 15.
Make sure your alternator's positive and negative terminals are clean.
Put the multimeter's black cable to the negative terminal and the red cable to the positive terminal.
Look for an ideal alternator reading of around 12.6.

What does the alternator belt do?

What does a serpentine belt do? … The serpentine belt is one long, snaking, winding belt that

keeps your alternator, power steering pump, air conditioning

and — in some cases — your water pump running smoothly and effectively.

Is it OK to drive without an AC belt?

You should be fine

. The AC belt is not the same as the serpentine belt, which is driven by a crank shaft pulley. Running the engine without the AC belt is not a problem if you can live without AC.

How much does it cost to get a serpentine belt replaced?

But what does a serpentine belt replacement cost? Of course, it depends on your make and model as well as labor costs, but in general a replacement serpentine belt costs

around $70-$200

(plus taxes and fees), including around $50 for the belt and around $150 for the labor.

What are signs of a failing alternator?

Dim or Overly Bright Lights. …
Dead Battery. …
Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories. …
Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling. …
Growling or Whining Noises. …
Smell of Burning Rubber or Wires. …
Battery Warning Light on Dash.

How long can you go with a bad alternator?

Most alternators will last

between five and ten years

, depending on the conditions they operate under. Read more: How Long Does It Take To Charge A Car Battery?

How do you tell if it's your battery or alternator?

If your engine won't turn over or takes far longer than usual, it's time to grab the jumper cables and attempt a jump-start. If your engine

starts

and stays running but won't start again later, it's likely a battery problem. If your vehicle immediately stalls, it's probably a bad alternator.