You can rely on Clark’s Car Care if your car’s alternator goes bad. We can replace the factory alternator, which should last over 100,000 miles. When the alternator starts to have trouble, it will produce one or more of the following problems. Bring your vehicle to our shop at the first sign of trouble.
Accessory Malfunctions
Your automobile’s accessories might start to malfunction if the alternator is going bad. The reason why is that the alternator supplies the accessories with the power they need to work. If your accessories are slowing down or shutting off by themselves, you may need a new alternator.
Battery Warning Light
You may also end up with the dashboard warning light in the shape of the battery illuminated on the dashboard. This light is designed to tell you that there’s a problem with the electrical system. In this case, the problem is that the alternator is going bad and needs to be replaced.
Burning Hot Electricity
The average voltage that a vehicle alternator produces is 13 volts to 14.5 volts. In rare cases, a malfunctioning alternator can produce too much voltage. When this happens, it overloads your vehicle’s electrical system and overheats the electrical wiring and insulation.
Dim or Flickering Lights
You may also realize that you have a problem with your car’s alternator if your headlights are flickering or dim. If the alternator is producing too much electricity, the vehicle’s lights may be unusually bright. Bring your automobile to our shop right away if the lights are acting strange.
Frequent Engine Stalls
As you can tell, the alternator powers numerous things in your automobile. Another thing it powers is the spark plugs. Consequently, if the alternator is going bad, your engine may start to stall while you are driving your automobile. This is because the spark plugs are misfiring due to a lack of power.
Growling/Whining Sounds
The alternator can also start to make noises if it is going bad. One sound that you will hear coming from your engine is a growling sound. This comes from the alternator itself. If the alternator belt is going bad, you will hear whining or squealing sounds in the engine.
Hard Starts/Dead Battery
One last thing the alternator powers is the battery. It is the electrical system part that keeps the battery charged. If you are having difficulties starting your vehicle or find that your battery dies quickly, this is a definite sign that the alternator is losing power.
Call Clark’s Car Care in Naperville, IL, today if you are having problems with your vehicle’s alternator.