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My neighbor just told me that his mechanic informed him that leaving a car parked long term not only effects the battery, but can also deteriorate the alternator.
The battery having issues makes sense to me, especially in cold weather as they were presumably discussing. But I can't understand the alternator going bad from lack of use.
Is that in fact possible?
The only thing I can think of as a response is Copper. Copper is used in alternators to house a spinning magnet. This creates electricity to power your car. The only problem I can foresee is how easily copper is affected by weather. Copper will oxidize and create a green coat. This oxidation can impede its ability to harness/(assist in creation) electricity.
This takes years thou in normal circumstances; not just a year
I do know somebody who left an older car parked for a month outside and the alternator seized, but that could happen to any number of accessories and wouldn't be specific to the alternator.
Also, if the battery has discharged from lack of use, it will cause a higher load on the alternator while it's charging it back up. This is probably more of an issue with an old battery and an aging alternator that's looking for an excuse to fail.
So yes, it is possible, but there's so many other things that can go wrong while a car is parked (including rodents moving in) that it's really pointless to worry about any single thing in particular.
Hiya I no nothing at all too but is it possible the one off the brushes could seize a bit away from the metal where a bit off rust build up on the end if stored for a couple years and just doesn't get a connection so doesn't charge is that possible if so I can smack it with my hammer yer
Google found this thread for me - despite last post about a year ago. An alternator has brushes because it has a slip ring (like a commutator) The slip ring can corrode and the brushes can stick - both are possible causes of failure after a year standing. Both are pretty rare, and I've only had a failed alternator once after rescuing a lot of "long standing" cars.
Lots of people mention the battery - the battery will self discharge gradually. If it is left for weeks whilst discharged, it will chemically destroy itself. Just a month without charging (by running the car or with an external charger), this will reduce the life, a few months can ruin it, and a year.. game over.
