Protecting Your Alternator from Water Damage

Water is an instrumental part in safely operating your vehicle, but water damage to your alternator is call for repair. Water damage can lead to corrosion and a whole slew of other messes. One part of your car may give you some concern if it becomes wet. Your alternator plays an important role in the operation of your car. Here is what you need to know about the alternator and what happens if it becomes wet.

What is an Alternator?

To understand why an alternator should avoid contact with water, it is important to know what an alternator is responsible for. An alternator acts like a generator for your car. It uses a mechanical pulley system to charge up your battery as you drive it.

That is why your battery always has a charge. You do not have to plug it in like your phone or computer. You just need to drive the car around to get the battery charged.

What Happens If an Alternator Becomes Wet?

You may need to visit an auto technician if your alternator becomes thoroughly wet. However, in most cases, your alternator should be just fine. It is built to handle things like:

·      Puddles

·      Rain

·      Engine washing

Can a Puddle Damage Your Alternator?

Before you head for the auto repair shop because you drove through a puddle, you should know that an alternator can survive a puddle just fine. It is built to protect the delicate components inside from splashes that come from puddles.

You can inspect the alternator's IP rating to determine how well it does with water and solid debris. For something to be waterproof, for example, its IP needs to be between 65 and 68.

Can Rain Damage Your Alternator?

Although your alternator can handle a puddle, you may wonder if it can survive through a lot of rain. The answer is probably. You may not need alternator repair if you left the hood closed. That is because it is difficult for rain to drip onto the alternator based on its location inside of your car.

You would need to keep the hood of your car open for a long time in order to damage the alternator with rain.

Can a Flood Damage Your Alternator?

You will likely need alternator repair if your car was in a flood. Submerging an alternator in water is not a good thing. It can allow rust to grow on the intricate parts inside of the alternator. If rust grows, then it could cause them to become misaligned and malfunction.

As a result, it will not be able to charge your battery.

If your car was submerged in water due to a flood, then you should take it to an auto technician as soon as possible.

How to Safely Clean Your Alternator

While it is safe to clean your alternator when you are cleaning your engine, you should be careful how you do it. An auto repair shop can do it properly. Otherwise, you just need a rag and some dish soap.

·      Cleaning around the alternator and try not to let the water drip inside of it.


·      You do not want to use a power washer to clean the alternator.

·      Then let the hood stand open to dry the alternator thoroughly.

Get Your Alternator Inspected

If you suspect that water damaged your alternator, then you should take it to a shop immediately. Otherwise, you can expect your car's battery to die. Drop your car off at our shop today and we will get you back on the road in no time.