Following directions will help to prevent a starter and alternator from fail.
Correct Starter Operation
A starter is an electrical device that is responsible for engine start.
How to keep safe and operational integrity of the automotive starter:
- When starting the engine, “do not scroll” the engine for more than ten seconds. Give it time cooling down. Remember that the starter heats up very quickly, but cools for a long time. If the engine does not start, you do not need to start it until the battery is completely discharged. Perhaps there is another reason. In cold months, before starting the engine, you can turn off the headlights not to create a load in the onboard circuit.
- The vehicle battery must always be fully charged. Low battery charge does not allow to start the car, as a result - the battery and starter wear out.
- Take note about the condition of the contacts on the starter, on the battery, and on the starter solenoid. Corrosion and rust mark must not be on the contacts. The contacts must be firmly fixed. The starter solenoid can be changed just in case every couple of years, such a replacement comes cheap.
- Before starting, fix the transmission gear lever into neutral.
- Perform service maintenance that includes: scheduled replacement of bushings, bearings, contacts; brushes; the rotor cleaning; adjustment of the starting relay.
- Stay out of independent starter repair. Despite the fact that the starter has low-end technology, the unit has hidden agendas. For example, instead of graphite bushings, some craftsmen install brass bushings, that causes to rotor seizure.
Correct Alternator Operation
The alternator provides electric power and charges the battery.
How to keep safe and operational integrity of the automotivealternator:
- The battery must be fully charged. Especially in cold months, when all the energy consumers turn on, and the battery is not all that much new.
- At regular times change the voltage regulator on the alternator. Such a replacement helps to avoid consequences, increase the useful life of the alternator, and it helps to work correctly. Voltage regulator replacement comes cheap and does not take much time.
- Tighten and change the alternator belt in time. The loose belt leads to the alternator pulley erase, slippage and breakage.
- Perform service maintenance that includes: bushings and bearings replacement, the rotor cleaning, the alternator oiling, and adjusting. Mandatory preventive maintenance includes the winding and diode bridge check, the output voltage measuring.
- Avoid the alternator pole changes. Such trouble can occur in two cases: an unfair replacement of the battery or wrong jump start. As a result of such failure, a diode bridge can burn out.
If the alternator and starter fail, it must be checked and repaired at specialized service stations that have professional equipment and tools.
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