... what the attached is? I think it fell off my 2003 Ford Escape earlier today while driving. Is this something I should worry about or was it maybe from another vehicle around me?





Top View





Side View

It's obviously only half of whatever it is and was sheared off.

Thanks in advance!

 

It is part of an Alternator housing. If it is off yours, then yes you should worry. Could be off another car, but it does look like the proper housing for a small Ford.

 

Yeah, that looks like a piece of an alternator... and alternators generally don't just come apart like that, I'd imagine it's an artifact from an accident at that scene at one time....

 

Well, it looks like I'll be taking it out to have a new alternator put in. Yesterday the vehicle died while driving down the road, replaced the battery and it started working again but then today it looks like this fell off. I'm pretty sure it IS from my vehicle... Is that odd that it would disintegrate like that? Can that happen if it's an original alternator from 11 years ago?

Either way thanks guys! I wasn't sure what it was part of...

 

It could happen, but it have never seen this happen.

If you can get the vehicle to Auto Zone they can test the charging system to make sure. You could also use your phone camera and video as you put the ohm e down in the area where the alternator lives to see if this is indeed from yours. I think,even with the heat/water shield over it you would be able to see that big of a piece missing.