When driving your car around, it’s your alternator that takes care of all the electrics and charging the car battery. It basically runs the electrical system. If there’s something wrong with it, you need to be able to know if your alternator is faulty.
As your alternator is spinning, a complex set of magnets is creating a current. This current is not only charging your battery, it’s also running all of your car’s electronics. From spark plugs to head lights. If there’s a problem with your alternator you’ll want to know, and you’ll want it fixed.
What are the signs of a bad alternator?
There’s a few key indicators that your alternator is failing.
If you have a dead battery and need to jump start your car is common. This means either the battery wasn’t properly charged the last time you drove, or your car’s electrical system is leaking charge somewhere.
If you find that while driving, your lights are dim or flickering, that can be a clear sign too. It means that the alternator isn’t putting out as much charge as it needs to. These can be dashboard lights, headlights and/or brake lights.
What are some other signs of a faulty alternator?
Other signs of alternator failure or alternator problems are excessive whining from under the hood. If you open it while the car is running and listen to the alternator whine, it may be on the way out. You may also get a warning light on the dash. This will display a battery picture lit up. This means there is an issue with the electrical system.
Your car needs an alternator to power all sorts of things, like spark plugs, stereo, power steering, lights, gauges, water pumps and lots more. It’s an important part that you shouldn’t ignore.
I think my alternator needs replacing
Don’t sweat it, the most expensive part will be the new alternator. Most mechanics will be able to easily swap it out in no time. At My Auto Shop we can easily help you get your alternator sorted in no time at all.