The alternator plays an important role in your vehicle’s electrical system. As you drive your automobile, your battery discharges. It is the alternator that charges the battery to keep it going. You can count on your alternator for about seven years or 100,000 miles. After that, LP & Sons Auto Care warns that the alternator may go bad. Here are signs that it is doing just that.
1. Dim Lights
The alternator will affect the brightness of your vehicle’s lights. The lights will seem dimmer if the alternator is not providing enough power. In some cases, your lights may also flicker or seem too bright before they go dim.
2. Accessory Problems
The alternator also sends power to your vehicle’s accessories and some of the components. For example, if your engine is misfiring, it’s possible that the alternator is not powering the spark plugs correctly. You will also experience problems with things such as your radio and GPS.
3. Hard Starts
A dying alternator will make it difficult to get your car started because the battery is slowly dying. If the alternator cannot keep the battery charged, your engine may crank several times before it actually fires up. You may even hear clicking sounds.
4. Growling Noises
Another sound a dying alternator will make is a growling noise. This is an indication that the alternator is wearing out from the inside. If the alternator belt is too loose, you may hear a whining sound when you first start your automobile.
5. Burning Odors
The alternator can emit burning odors if it is overworking. As it dies, it works extra hard to provide voltage, and, consequently, it will overheat the electrical wires. This will smell like hot electricity or burning rubber.
6. Warning Light
You may end up with the dashboard warning light if your alternator is going bad. This light can be in the shape of the battery or it may spell out ALT or GEN. if this light stays on while you are trying to start your automobile, there’s a problem with the alternator.
7. Dead Battery
Finally, your battery will die if the alternator cannot power it. One way to tell whether the problem is the battery or the alternator is to jump-start the battery and see if it holds a charge. If it doesn’t, your alternator is dying.
LP & Sons Auto Care in DeLand, FL, would be happy to test your alternator and replace it if necessary. Give us a call today.