How to not reduce to dust a starter and alternator?

Follow these simple instructions to prevent your car's starter and alternator from breaking down.

Correct use of the starter

The starter is an electrical device that is responsible for starting your car's engine.

How to keep your starter safe and working properly:

• While starting the engine «do not crank» the engine for more than ten seconds. Give it time to cool down. Remember that the starter heats up very quickly, but takes a long time to cool down. If the motor does not start, you do not need to start it until the battery is completely discharged.  There may be another reason. In cold weather, before starting the engine, you can switch off the headlights, so as not to create a load in the on-board circuit.
• The car's battery should always be fully charged. Low battery charge does not allow the car to start, as a result – the battery and the starter wear out.
• Check the condition of the contacts on the starter, on the battery, and on the starter relay. There should be no oxidation or rust on the contacts. Contacts should be tightly fixed. The starter relay is changed for preventive purposes every 2-3 years, such replacement is inexpensive.
• Before starting, put the gearbox levers in neutral position.
• Do preventive maintenance, including: scheduled replacement of bushings, bearings, contacts; replacement of brushes; cleaning of the rotor (armature); adjustment of the retractor relay.
• Do not repair the starter yourself. Despite the fact that the starter has a simple device, the node differs in many subtleties. For example, instead of graphite bushings, some craftsmen put brass, which becomes the cause of jamming the armature.

Correct operation of the generator

The generator provides the car with electricity while driving, and gives charge to the battery.

How to keep your alternator safe and working properly:

• The alternator should be kept in a fully charged state. This is especially true in winter, when a large number of power consumers are switched on and the battery is no longer too new.
• An alternator should be fully charged.
• Periodically change the voltage regulator on the alternator. Such a replacement will help to avoid unpleasant consequences, will increase the service life of the generator, will help it to work correctly. Replacing the regulator relay is inexpensive and does not take much time.  
• Tighten and change the alternator belt on time. Loose belt position leads to abrasion of the alternator pulley, slippage and breakage.
• Carry out preventive measures including: replacement of bushings and bearings, cleaning of the armature, lubrication and adjustment of the generator. Compulsory preventive maintenance includes: checking the winding and diode bridge, measuring the output voltage.
• All preventive maintenance activities include: replacement of bushings and bearings, cleaning the armature, lubrication and adjustment of the generator.
• Do not allow the alternator poles to change. Such a mishap can occur in two cases: unscrupulous replacement of the battery or incorrect «cigarette lighter» from another car. As a result of such an oversight, the diode bridge can burn out.

If the starter or alternator is still out of order and needs to be diagnosed, repairs should be carried out only in specialised services. You can entrust the diagnosis and repair of the starter and alternator to workshops that have professional test benches and equipment.