The alternator in your car, truck, or utility vehicle may start to malfunction if the automobile is 10 years old or older. If you think in terms of mileage, this is approximately 100,000 miles. A faulty alternator must be replaced in order to restore the generation of electricity. Here are the symptoms of a malfunctioning alternator.
Battery Warning Light
Your vehicle is equipped with an engine control unit, which is the main computer chip. The unit will turn on dashboard warning lights if there is a problem. In the case of the alternator, the unit will turn on the battery light.
Burning Wire/Rubber Odors
A malfunctioning alternator can overwork itself. When this happens, it generates more than the maximum voltage of 14.5 volts. Unfortunately, this overheats the electrical system and you may smell burning wires or burning rubber.
Difficult Starts/Battery Problems
It can be difficult to get your vehicle started if the alternator is going bad. The battery stores any excess electricity that the alternator generates in order to keep it charged when the engine isn’t running. A battery can die frequently if the alternator is not producing enough electricity.
Grinding/Growling/Whining
The alternator can make audible noises if it is wearing out on the inside. These noises include grinding and growling. The alternator is attached to the serpentine belt. It can fail to produce electricity if the belt is not working. The belt will whine if it has problems.
Malfunctioning/Slow Accessories
Your vehicle’s accessories are going to slow down if the alternator is not producing enough electricity. Certain accessories, such as the navigation system and USB charging ports, may stop working altogether.
Rough Idling/Frequent Stalling
The alternator helps the spark plugs generate sparks in the cylinders. It sends electricity through the plug wires while the engine is running. A malfunctioning alternator may not send electricity through all of the wires. Consequently, your engine will misfire and stall.
Strange Light Problems
Finally, you may notice that you have a problem with the alternator because your lights are flickering. They may also get so dim that it is hard to see at night. If the alternator is overproducing electricity, the lights will be extremely bright.
Call us to schedule a service appointment for your automobile if you are having any of the problems discussed in this blog post. We will check the alternator to see if it needs to be replaced. If it does, we can replace it in about two to three hours.