A few blog posts back, we talked about signs that your car’s battery is dying. Now, let’s talk about the signs that your alternator is dying. The alternator is the auto part that keeps the battery charged. It produces voltage to power the battery and many of your vehicle components and accessories. Car Doctors Auto Repair lists the ways you can tell that your alternator is going bad below.
Burning Wires That Smell
Sometimes, when the alternator is struggling, it will produce excess voltage that is too much for the electrical wires to handle. When this happens, the wires begin to overheat and you will smell an odor that smells like an electrical fire.
Difficulty Starting Your Car
You will also have difficulty getting your automobile started if the alternator is going out. This is because it is struggling to keep the battery powered and, as a consequence, you’ll end up with a dead battery that cannot hold a charge.
Growling/Whining Noises
If the alternator is wearing down, you may hear growling sounds coming from the engine. This is the alternator motor that is making this sound. Another noise you might hear is a whining sound. The alternator belt whines when it is too loose.
Problems With Stalling
One of the components that the alternator powers is your spark plugs. If the alternator cannot help the spark plugs fire, your vehicle will stall frequently. You may think that the problem is with your spark plugs, but it might be the alternator instead.
Problems With the Accessories
As we mentioned above, the alternator also helps to power your vehicle’s accessories. This includes the power accessories, your radio, and your GPS. If the alternator is not working properly, these accessories may die because they aren’t getting any power.
Problems With the Battery
Once the alternator has completely died, your battery will die. Even if you jump-start the battery, it will not keep a charge because the alternator is not charging it. This is a sign that the problem is with the alternator rather than the battery.
Problems With the Lights
Finally, as with a dying battery, you will have problems with your vehicle’s lights if the alternator is going out. This includes overly bright lights, flickering lights, and dim lights. Anytime your lights act up, it is an indication that they are not getting enough power or they are getting sporadic power.
Car Doctors Auto Repair in Athens, GA, can help. Call us today if you believe you need an alternator test.
