An alternator is an essential part of your vehicle and is responsible for making sure your car battery stays charged. When it’s not functioning properly you won’t be able to turn your car over or use any of the electronic components in your vehicle including your headlights and radio. There are a few key signs to look for that will tell you if you might soon be in need of alternator repair.
Difficulty Starting
One tell-tale sign that your alternator could be wearing out is if your car has trouble starting or is turning over slowly before it starts. It’s possible that your alternator is failing to work properly or that a few brushes aren’t reaching the coil where they need to. If this is happening to you frequently it’s time to get it looked at by a certified technician.
Dimmed Lights
If you fire up your vehicle and notice that some of the key lights on your dash appear to be dimmer than usual, this could be a sign that your alternator is running out of juice. The lights on your dome, headlights, and radio may also be affected and can appear to fade in and out and look like they are blinking. This is usually the sign of a dying alternator.
Battery Keeps Dying
If you find that your vehicle keeps failing to start, there’s a strong possibility that the alternator isn’t able to charge the battery. If this happens multiple times in a short period, it’s a good idea to get it to the shop as soon as possible. Not doing so could cause damage to your battery and starter as well. It’s best to catch it early and avoid having to replace multiple parts.
Burnt Rubber Smell
This sign is less common than others but can still be an indicator. Alternator belts that are unable to rotate freely on the pulleys for any reason can cause friction, which can lead to the belt heating up. If this happens, the belt will heat up enough to cause it to smell like burnt rubber.
Grinding/Whining Noise
An alternator problem can also be identified if you hear a grinding sound or whine coming from your vehicle. A worn-out, dirty, or broken bearing is often responsible for the grinding. A whining sound is usually caused by the voltage regulator telling your alternator to charge more frequently than it should. Alternatively, the alternator may not be receiving enough electricity from the battery. If you hear a whining, double-check the battery.
Malfunctioning Accessories
A vehicle’s alternator not providing enough power can cause problems with its electronics, such as slow or unresponsive accessories. Alternator problems can cause your windows to take longer than normal to roll up and down, your seat warmers to not work correctly, or your speedometer to go haywire. Thankfully, if your alternator fails, your radio and other accessories will be cut off before your headlights.
If you’ve noticed any of these red flags while operating your vehicle, don’t hesitate: contact Adams Jeep of Maryland today to schedule an appointment with our experienced technicians.
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