Techway Automotive Is Going to List the Signs of a Dying Alternator Below
If your car, truck, or utility vehicle is older than 10 years, the alternator is going to go bad sooner rather than later. The alternator is the electrical system part that generates voltage. When it is running as it should be, it will generate between 13 volts and 14.5 volts of electricity. This electricity is used to charge the battery and to power your vehicle’s accessories and components. Techway Automotive is here to help if your automobile is having any of the following problems.
Accessory Malfunction
As we mentioned above, the alternator helps to keep the accessories powered. If the alternator is going bad, your accessories may slow down or stop working. For example, the power windows may slow down or the radio may turn off by itself and refuse to turn back on.
Battery Warning Light
The engine control unit, your vehicle’s main computer chip, may also turn on the battery warning light to let you know that there is a problem with the alternator. This light also covers the battery and other components in the electrical system. Bring your vehicle to our shop if the light turns on.
Frequent Engine Stalling
It might seem strange that your engine stalling can be a sign of a dead alternator, but it can. This is because the engine relies on the spark plugs to generate sparks in the cylinders for combustion. The spark plugs rely on the alternator to provide power to them.
Hard Starts/Dead Battery
It will be difficult to start your automobile if the spark plugs are not getting enough power or if the alternator is not charging the battery. If you have been dealing with a dead engine lately that requires you to jump-start your battery frequently, the problem may actually be the alternator.
Hot Electricity Odors
We mentioned above that the alternator generates up to 14.5 volts. Anything over this voltage is going to overheat your automobile’s electrical system and cause hot electricity odors in the engine. If the alternator is malfunctioning, it may produce excess voltage.
Strange Engine Noises
The alternator may also start to growl or grind if it is wearing down. Usually, this is an indication of a problem with the alternator’s internal mechanisms.
Vehicle Light Problems
Finally, the alternator provides power to all of your vehicle’s lights. Consequently, if the alternator is struggling to produce power, your lights may be too dim and flicker.
Techway Automotive is located in Opp or Dothan, AL, and also in Blakely, GA. Call the shop closest to you if your automobile is having an alternator problem.