Do I Need a New Battery After Replacing Alternator?

If the alternator goes bad, you need to replace it right away.

There is a myth that if you replace the alternator you should also change the battery. Do you have to replace the battery when you replace the alternator?

You don’t need to change the car battery while you replace the alternator. It is not uncommon for an old battery to fail when the alternator goes bad. 

After the battery has been fully charged, the best thing to do is to retest it. It usually takes about 20 to 40 minutes of driving to get the car battery charged.

If you are confused about whether to change the battery with the alternator or not, this writing will be helpful.

Determining Whether You Should Change Battery If You Are Replacing the Alternator?

The electric power in your car’s battery can be used to start its engine. The engine is running and the battery in the car is running low.

The most important part of the charging system is the alternator. As a result of long usage and aging, alternators do not work.

A bad alternator can be caused by fluid leaking, and you may need to change the battery as well. If you are replacing the alternator, it depends on what you’re doing.

Taking a test of the battery is the best way to be certain. A load test should be conducted on the battery to see if it can handle the load.

The load test can be done in a matter of minutes. It checks to see if there are any bad cells and how many cranking amperes of capacity are stored in the battery.

Make sure you test the battery from an experienced professional who has a high-quality load tester device.

If the tester is problematic, it may fail a good battery by simply turning on a secondary load, for example, the headlights.

The report from the test shows that the battery is failing even though it was in perfect working order.

If you don’t know the minimum and maximum operating limit in the owner’s manual, that could be a reason for the battery to fail.

I would recommend leaving the battery alone if your car starts and runs perfectly after the new alternator is installed.

If the battery is more than five years old, you don’t want to take any risk with it during the first winter. Get it replaced so that it doesn’t stay the same.

If the battery is less than three years old, you may be able to get a new one from where you bought the battery.

Is It Needed to Charge the Battery After Replacing Alternator?

You have to charge the battery after the alternator is replaced.

Once the battery is fully charged, it should be load tested to see if it is still good. You don’t need to change the battery if you start your car perfectly.

Is It Possible for a Bad Alternator to Ruin a New Battery?

The lifespan of the battery is adversely affected by a bad alternator. The battery may be overcharged by a failing alternator.

It kills the battery when it’s overheated or flat dead. The battery speeded up towards failure in both instances.

FAQs

How to Identify If I Need a New Battery vs Alternator?

You need to look for some symptoms to determine if you need a new battery or alternator.

If the engine doesn’t start, you might need a new battery, or if you have problems with the stereo system, you might need a new battery.

If the car starts but stalls frequently while underway, chances are the battery isn’t being charged because of a faulty one.

Why Does My New Alternator Not Charge My Battery?

The battery may not be charged completely, which is the most common reason why a new alternator doesn’t charge the battery.

It doesn’t charge the battery when the alternator goes bad.

It’s important to make sure the battery is fully charged after the alternator is replaced. It is possible to check the current coming from the battery with a voltmeter.

Is It Mandatory To Replace The Battery After Replacing the Alternator?

You don’t necessarily need to change the battery after you change the alternator. It is only necessary to replace the battery when it does not work efficiently.

Conclusion

Is it necessary for you to replace the battery when you replace the alternator? The answer is negative and I recommend a load test after replacing the alternator.

If you need to change the battery, you will be aware of it and be able to replace it with a new one. If the battery does not have a warranty left, you should check back.

If it still backs you up with a warranty period, you can easily change it with a new one.