Can high temperatures ruin your alternator?

Question

Yesterday my alternator seemed to be failing on my way home from work. I read that high temperatures effect your alternator but does it cause it to go bad completely or just fail temporarily? I don't know much about cars any answers would be very helpful.

Answer 1

No the alternator is designed to run happily in a hot engine bay. Cars are tested during development in extremes of conditions from the heat of somewhere like Death Valley to North of the Arctic Circle.



Sounds more like your alternator is just about to fail or the battery is not so good

Answer 2

Please, in your own words explain what facts lead you to believe your alternator did or is failing. Did the red battery light illuminate on the dash? Are the alternator bearings making a loud screeching noise under the hood of the car?



When the red battery light is on the dash when the engine is running it means it isn't charging the battery between 13.5 - 14.2 volts. The car electrical systems will eventually discharge the battery within a day or two and you'll be stranded along the road. The alternator not only charges the battery but it provides *amperage for all the electrical devises on the car. For instance: The air conditioner and heater blower motor. The radiator electric cooling fan. The windshield wiper motor. Rear window defroster. Dash and headlights. Power seats and door locks. *Electronic ignition system. The largest battery amperage electrical devise on the car is the starter motor.



I've never heard of an alternator failing temporarily! It's an electrical devise that's either charging, overcharging or not at all or not charging enough. An inexpensive hand held voltmeter attached to the battery with the engine running will tell you if the alternator is charging properly. This is not to say the alternator can be having a mechanical failure such as the internal bearings which you'll be able to hear.



Answering your question about ambient temperature and alternator life and performance: They are designed to withstand desert heat and south and north pole Artic cold.



If your alternator has or is failing. The products at NAPA, Carquest and AC-Delco dealerships and distributors is the place to shop. Avoid box stores such as Auto Zone and Advance Auto at all costs.

Answer 3

Do you mean high temps as in SUMMER? if so, the answer is no. Alternators are designed to perform well in summer, with the A/C running, (which drastically increases engine bay temps) and with all other accessories on.



If it's failing, it's either worn out or has been wet.

Answer 4

no not really. if it,s going to go bad then it can go bad in the winter too.they are designed to run in the hot or cold weather. it just happened during hot weather.

Answer 5

yes it can