Alternator help ?

[The Badger]

Hi guys just looking for some advice - the car was in for its MOT last April and whilst it was in the guys in the garage told me that the alternator was whinning and that at some point in the future I should think about replacing it ?
The whinning is getting louder so here is my question ?

What will happen ?
Will it just get noisier and noisier ?
If it packs up will it damage the engine ?
Could it wait until the car is in for something else maybe MOT in April ?

As you all know I'm a petrol and water guy so the oily bits are a complete mystery ?

Cheers

 

[Smartbear]

hi badger, the alternator wont damage your engine but if it stops charging the battery it could leave you stranded somewhere-or it might continue charging & just get louder & louder until a bearing breaks up etc.
regards

 

[The Badger]

Thanks smart bear if a bearing breaks up what happens then ?

 

[Ricey01]

Don't forget the alternator also provides charge to all of the cars vital systems. A dodgy alternator can start throwing codes like a bugger because it starts putting less charge through the system.

Although in saying that bearing wear probably won't affect the alts outpu.

As for the bearing......it'll just get worse and worse. You could potentially have it reconditioned but that means car in dock for as long as it takes to recondition.

 

[The Badger]

Brill thanks guys I think I'll get it in before it cocks something up !!

Thanks

 

[Nelly Welly]

One dead give away that the bearing is affecting charge rate is an amount of radio interference in the fm spectrum. It occurs as the armeture contacts begin to arc due to side float of the main alternator shaft.

Registering unrecognised faults could cause the ecu to do any amount of shut down or control issues so in my opinion the failing alternator could have significant impact on your car.

The sooner it's changed the safer you will be. I had a failure on an E46 and the number of issues I had would keep a forum going for weeks.

:fuelfire:

 

[srhutch]

If you know it's on the way out change it. Don't forget the steering is electric assisted. If it like my wife's car that is one of the first things that stops working, which isn't what you want to have happen.

 

[The Badger]

Brilliant thanks guys I will get it booked in !