A Hyundai Sonata alternator replacement typically costs between $532 and $860. While parts are priced between $415 and $713, labor costs are expected to be between $117 and $148.
In This Article...
How is a step-by-step alternator replacement performed?
Every job has a difficult section, and removing the belt from the pulley is the difficult section for replacing an alternator. Your vehicle has a tensioner pulley somewhere on it. It must be moved far enough for the belt to come off the pulley. We had to use a tool to draw back the typical spring-loaded GM tensioner on our 1995 GMC. Some vehicles include rod-end or screw-type tensioners, which work by applying pressure as a bolt is turned through threads to change the length of a rod. To remove the belt in this situation, simply crank the bolt or rod end with a wrench or socket until the strain is released.
In our situation, we seized a Craftsman 17mm Cross Force wrench and applied considerable pressure. That would typically be a horrible experience, but the Cross Force was created specifically for such a scenario. The Cross Force wrenches have a 90-degree twist in the centre, which causes you to push on a flat surface. So we could use more force without feeling uncomfortable. We simply fought it till the belt freed itself.
What is the price of replacing an alternator in a Hyundai?
A Hyundai Elantra alternator replacement typically costs between $586 and $878. While parts are priced between $513 and $786, labor costs are predicted to range between $73 and $92. Taxes and levies are not included in this range, nor are your particular model year or special location taken into account.
When changing a generator What else ought to I swap out?
Other improvements are important to make while changing an alternator. Replace the idler roller, tensioner, and serpentine belt when you replace the alternator in your automobile or truck.
How can my alternator be tested?
- Purchase a multimeter.
- Select DCV (DC Volts) above 15 on your multimeter.
- Make sure the positive and negative terminals on your alternator are clean.
- Connect the red cable of the multimeter to the positive terminal and the black cable to the negative terminal.
- An optimal alternator reading should be about 12.6.
How can you identify if the problem is with your battery or alternator?
In its most basic form, starting and operating an engine is a 3-step procedure. The battery first jolts the starter with power. The alternator is then activated when the engine is started. The alternator then charges the battery to end this cycle.
Bypassing the battery’s function and jump-starting your vehicle, you can use the process of elimination to identify the offender. The alternator is probably not keeping your battery charged if the engine starts but soon shuts off. If your automobile can be started and maintained by a jump start, but it won’t restart on its own power, you most likely have a dead battery.
How much does replacing an alternator cost?
The average time required to replace an alternator is two to three hours. Depending on the mechanic’s hourly rate, the labor charges would be close to $200. A new alternator should cost between $200 and $350 if you use OEM components. If you don’t mind purchasing aftermarket components, a new part can cost between $100 and $200.
What is the turnaround time for an alternator replacement?
It will take a professional roughly two hours to replace an alternator. It could take longer than two hours for a technician to work on your vehicle, so don’t assume that it will just be there for that amount of time. And it will take even longer if the store needs to order parts.
Are alternators simple to swap out?
Typically, replacing the alternator is a simple task that just calls for basic tools and minimal technical knowledge. It’s a wonderful maintenance operation for beginners because it’s typically on par with changing your own oil or a serpentine belt in terms of difficulty.
Does AutoZone install alternators?
To make sure the charging system is operating properly, you can take the car to AutoZone and have the alternator examined there. Depending on the precise year, make, model, and engine of your vehicle, some of these instructions may change somewhat.
After replacing the alternator, do I still need a new battery?
Although I’m not a mechanic, I am aware that the alternator and battery are connected. That got me to wondering—does replacing the alternator also require replacing the battery?
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The battery must be disconnected from the engine, but the battery need not be replaced when the alternator is changed. Batteries normally last three to four years, whereas alternators typically last seven to ten years. It is optional to replace your battery and alternator at the same time, although you can if the dates coincide.
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Will a new alternator increase fuel efficiency?
Increased alternator efficiency might result in less power being pulled from the engine, which will improve fuel consumption.
How can I tell if my alternator needs to be replaced?
As was already noted, if your engine is difficult to start, your alternator may not be charging the battery. As a result, when you turn the key in the ignition, all you’ll hear is a clicking noise rather than your engine’s purring sound.
On the other hand, if your car repeatedly stalls out while you’re driving, it can mean that the alternator isn’t supplying the spark plugs with enough power to keep the engine running.
An alternator can be damaged by what?
- incorrect use of jumper cables
- Adding too many attachments to the charging system
- liquid leaking, or
- a belt that’s too tight and risky for bearings.
You might wonder what exactly the alternator accomplishes. In essence, the alternator keeps the battery charged to enable the car starter to fire. The alternator keeps the battery charged continually once the automobile is moving. The battery will gradually lose its charge if the alternator malfunctions, rendering your automobile immobile.
When should an alternator be replaced? The quality, driving style, and number of electronic accessories being used all have an impact on an alternator’s lifespan. Alternators have no predetermined service interval and thus are susceptible to sudden death.
Has the alternator a fuse?
The majority of the time, a high-amperage fuse or fusible link connects the battery to the alternator’s battery terminal. Additionally, the sensing terminal and ignition terminal of the alternator are typically connected in series with low-amperage fuses.
What happens if the alternator stops working?
Both mechanical and electrical power sources are used by modern autos. The mechanical force required to move your wheels is produced by your engine through combustion. While a number of other devices, such as your radio and headlights, run on the electricity provided by your battery.
The alternator, which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy to keep the battery charged, allows these two systems to communicate with one another. Numerous issues could arise if an alternator stops functioning properly. In this post, we’ll look more closely at four typical signs of a failing alternator.
1. Vehicle Won’t Start
A car that won’t start almost invariably has a dead battery. If you jump-start the automobile and it starts up normally, the battery is probably the source of the issue. Sometimes, the battery may just have run out, as might happen if you neglected to turn off your lights. When this occurs, the issue is resolved by jumping the battery and letting your car run for a while.
You could need a new battery if your automobile starts and runs after being jumped, but won’t start the next time you try to start it. Once the car is started, it keeps running, so you know the alternator is still able to function. Instead, it appears that the battery is unable to maintain a charge when the engine is off.
If your engine stops again shortly after jumping the battery, your alternator is most likely at blame. Your alternator may have even fully failed. A fresh battery installation might temporarily solve the issue. However, once the replacement battery’s power has been used up, you’ll be stuck with a non-starting car.
2. Engine Sluggishness
A car that won’t start is almost always the result of a dead alternator. But before things reach that stage, a number of additional issues could arise. An alternator that is broken or dying might only function intermittently. As a result, even with your engine running, the alternator might not be able to keep your battery fully charged.
Your automobile can stop out as a result at strange moments. The fuel injectors, which depend on electricity to function, are frequently the immediate cause of such stalling. The fuel injectors may not fire, resulting in an engine stall, if a defective alternator is unable to maintain a steady charge in your battery.
3. Electricity Problems
A failing alternator can cause a variety of additional electrical problems. Generally speaking, these problems show themselves as a reduction in performance. You might observe, for instance, that your headlights appear to be darker than usual or even that their brightness varies mysteriously.
Dash and dome lights that may flicker or appear dim are further indicators. Windows that operate automatically could operate substantially more slowly than usual. Alternatively, your radio and/or entertainment systems might periodically turn off by themselves.
4. Strange Sounds
Poor alternators frequently make loud or peculiar noises. A belt is used to transfer mechanical energy from the engine to the alternator. You can hear strange squeaking noises coming from under your hood if this belt has become out of alignment or has been worn down severely. The alternator may not turn quickly enough to produce enough power if the belt is worn.
The internal stator of the alternator can spin alongside the belt thanks to bearings inside. These bearings start to hum as they corrode and wear over time. As the bearings deteriorate further, this sound gets louder.
Do alternators suddenly fail?
The alternator is a crucial part of your car’s electrical system. The alternator converts the crankshaft’s energy into electricity, which is then stored in your car’s battery. The alternator serves to power the many electrical systems in your automobile and maintain battery charge while it is driving.
Your automobile may have a number of various electrical issues when your alternator starts to malfunction, and it may eventually break down. Alternators can break down quickly or gradually over time. There are certain warning indications you may watch out for if your alternator is gradually losing efficiency over time.