Why Does a Car Generator Fail?
2 Answers
Car generator failure can be attributed to the following reasons: Generator's own issues: It's possible that the generator itself (due to quality issues) causes burnout, leading to short circuits or burnout in other circuits, which will definitely affect the battery as well, such as charging and power supply issues. Regulator issues: Voltage fluctuations caused by internal components like the regulator can lead to high and low voltage variations. These large voltage fluctuations not only can burn out the generator but also potentially damage the vehicle's electrical components, with a relatively high probability. Additionally, it's quite likely to cause "abnormal" conditions in the battery. Other component-induced failures: Other electrical equipment might cause generator burnout due to short circuits, grounding, or wiring faults. Such malfunction phenomena can also affect the normal operation of the battery.
With over a decade of experience in car repairs, I've seen countless cases of alternator failures. Wear and tear of core components is the most common issue. For instance, the carbon brushes inside the alternator, much like pencil lead, gradually wear down until they're too short, causing poor contact and triggering the battery warning light. Diode breakdowns in the rectifier bridge are also critical, especially prone to burning out in summer due to poor heat dissipation, which can halve the charging capacity immediately. Then there's bearing lubrication failure – particularly in older cars after driving through puddles, the bearings start making rattling noises. If not replaced, the entire rotor could be ruined. I recommend checking the alternator voltage every 60,000 kilometers. If it's above 15V, it means the voltage regulator is faulty, and prolonged overcharging can cause the battery to swell.
