If your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s battery light has turned on and refuses to turn off, it is trying to tell you that there is a problem with the alternator or the battery. In this blog post, Mechanic One Auto Repair is going to list the signs that the alternator is going bad. An illuminated bad rely on the dashboard is just one sign. Here are others.
Burning Wires
The alternator is designed to produce electricity for your automobile’s electrical system. It generates anywhere between 13 volts and 14.5 volts of electricity. A malfunctioning alternator may produce more electricity than the maximum of 14.5 volts. When this happens, it overheats the electrical system and you will smell burning wires and rubber coming from the engine.
Discharging Battery
Another thing that the alternator does is keep the battery charged. If your battery is relatively new yet you have to jump-start it frequently, this is a sign that the alternator is not keeping the battery charged. Consequently, it will discharge until it dies.
Frequent Stalling
The alternator also produces power that it gives to the spark plugs so they can fire in the combustion chamber. If your engine has started to stall frequently, it’s possible that the plugs are misfiring. This can happen if the alternator is unable to send them enough power.
Growling Noises
Another thing that can happen is your engine may start to make growling noises if the alternator is going bad. The alternator itself is making these noises. It might also make grinding noises. Another sound that can come from the alternator, specifically the alternator belt, is squealing.
Malfunctioning Accessories
As you have already learned, the alternator provides power to numerous things. In addition to the things discussed above, the alternator also powers your vehicle’s accessories. Consequently, if the alternator is struggling to produce power, the accessories will slow down or fail to work.
Strange Light Problems
Finally, strange things may start happening to your vehicle’s lights if the alternator is malfunctioning. For example, if it is unable to produce an even stream of power, all of the vehicle lights will start to flicker. You may also have problems seeing at night because the lights are not as bright as they normally are. If the alternator is producing too much electricity, the lights will be extremely bright.
Mechanic One Auto Repair in Canton, MI, would be happy to help, so call our shop today to set up a service appointment for your vehicle’s alternator.
