Dangers of driving with faulty Alternator?

[Derelict-UK]

My STOP & Battery light came on last night, everything as normal but the freezing temperatures.

I noticed my blowers didn't come on as hard as the usually did. Left it over night and started it, starts first time with no problem or high pitched noises.

Hooked up a multimeter and it confirms that it's not charging, with the ignition off the reading is 12.34 and ignition on is 11.01.

My question is, is there any danger driving with it like this? Is the only danger it cutting out and I get to use the RAC to bring it back to the garage that it will end up in anyway.

Will it only affect the alternator if it goes or or will it cause major damage to the engine? Shall I call the RAC and get them to tow me the 2 miles to the garage, or shall just drive it there?

Thanking you

 

[Dave..]

No danger as such, you'll get about an hour of driving before every dash light comes on, and the car cuts out.

I got it down to a tee while waiting for Renault to get an alternator in for me.

 

[Cupman29]

It won't last long once it's gone. I just replaced mine and at first it would still run, then sounded lumpy, then wouldn't start, then wouldn't jump start then i gave up. This was all in the space of about 10miles.

Need to get it replaced ASAP once it's gone.

 

[Derelict-UK]

What I didn't mention was I drove it from Stoke-on-Trent back to Birmingham as it 'seemed' okay lol, thats 45 miles with lights on and music on. Is this some kind of miracle? or just a good battery?

 

[Dave..]

Definite miracle.
I could do a 30 mile round trip before it needed charging again. this is with lights but no heater or radio, and the dash lights dimmed right down.

Every journey was interesting. It also shows how electric cars are a bad idea.

 

[Don]

When my alternator died...I'd bought a new battery a couple of days earlier...so it still had a charge. Went to work 8 miles away with no lights, no blowers, no autowipers, no anything. Died on way there... Pissed me right off. Get it done asap as guarantee that when u need it, it will fail

 

[Derelict-UK]

Yeah, getting it sorted tomorrow. I just did an under load test with the blowers on and it dropped below 10v so I think I'll be riding my bike lol.

Once it's changed, shall I change the battery too? It's got a few months left on its 3 year warranty, is the excuse that the alternator died enough for them to change the battery under warranty (National Tyres) or will they only change it if there is no power at all?

 

[Cupman29]

Battery should be fine once it gets a good charge with the new alternator. Get it fitted and take it for a good run.

 

[Fletcher]

I drove my 172 about for about a fortnight with brand new faulty alternator. No damage done.

 

[mattypy282]

I had one puting 19v throgh the system. Dast board lit up after 2k revs . Sum how still got an mot

 

[Fred@BTM]

I had a customer drive from Carlisle to B'ham with a dead alternator, he swapped battery half way and the thing died as he pulled into my car park haha!

 

[Silent_Scone]

Poxy fcking things.

 

[Lal B3N]

Mine went up in smoke lol.

 

[Derelict-UK]

Reconditioned Alternator + Belt fitted by the garage for £100. That'll do nicely

 

[Silent_Scone]

Most of them are reconditioned anyway, the coils in them are pretty expensive.