What do you know about alternator services? If you’re like most people, you read that sentence and asked, “What’s an alternator?”
Alternator Overview
An alternator is a part of a vehicle that controls its electrical functions. So, if your alternator works well, your headlights and radio work, for example. If your alternator isn’t working well, you might have a vehicle that “just won’t start.” That’s because there’s too much strain on the vehicle’s battery resulting in a loss of needed power.
If you’re in Lancaster, CA, and think you have an alternator problem, AV Bumper to Bumper provides auto alternator repair and replacement services for all types of vehicles and all types of problems.
Dashboard Light
How do you know if you have an alternator problem? Typically, you will see an alert light on your dashboard, showing ALT, GEN or a green battery icon. If the sensor powering the alert light isn’t working, you may also notice your headlights dimming, slow windshield wipers or other functions, like heated seats or your radio failing to work properly. As these functions compete for energy, some will begin to have problems. With complete auto alternator repair and replacement services from AV Bumper to Bumper, these problems will stop! By the way, if you notice the smell of burning rubber or burning electrical wires, these are signs of a misaligned belt or an overheating alternator.
Now, to get deeper into what an alternator does, consider that you’ve got a battery, and it helps start the vehicle when it’s off. What keeps your vehicle running while the vehicle is “on,” and the engine is running? It’s the alternator. It’s responsible for a bunch of things, including your headlights, electric steering, power windows, windshield wipers, heated seats, radio, and dashboard instruments, just to name a few. Basically, the alternator supplies these aforementioned things with DC (direct current) power. It also charges your vehicle’s battery while you drive.
How does an alternator work? It takes mechanical energy and turns it into electrical energy. If you’ve got your engine on, the alternator powers a drive belt. This belt rests on a pulley attached to the alternator. The pulley turns the alternator’s rotor shaft. This spins a set of magnets around a coil, which generates AC (alternating current) around the coil. The alternator’s “rectifier” converts that AC power into DC power, which is then used to activate your vehicle’s electrical systems.
Do most alternators last the lifetime of a vehicle? Yes, usually… but sometimes they don’t, thanks to overuse, heat damage, exposure to water, frayed wires, etc.
Starting Issues
If and when your car or truck won’t start, you might have a dead battery or alternator. What should you look for? If you’ve got dim or overly bright lights, or your lights are flickering, that could mean there’s inconsistent voltage. A mechanic should check the alternator. Sometimes your vehicle just has a dead battery. Other times a dead battery is related to an alternator that’s not working well. If you try jumpstarting your vehicle and it stays running afterward, it was probably just a dead battery. If, however, you jumpstart the vehicle and it runs well for a little bit but then dies, you’ve got an alternator issue.
Other Warning Signs
What else indicates a bad alternator? If your windows don’t roll up or down like usual, or your seats don’t seem to warm up like usual, those are some signs. If you notice dashboard instruments going “haywire,” a bad alternator could be the cause.
Now if you have trouble starting a vehicle or you experience frequent stalling, that could mean your alternator isn’t charging the battery like it should. If all you hear is a clicking sound when you turn the vehicle on, that’s a bad sign. As for frequent stalls, you might have problems with spark plugs and/or coils. Obviously, a mechanic should examine the vehicle and figure out the specific problem.
If you hear a growling or whining noise coming from under the hood, it’s likely that your alternator’s pulley is misaligned or the bearings that spin the rotor shaft aren’t working well. Meanwhile, if you smell “burning rubber,” it could mean your alternator is wearing out. The drive belt or a seized alternator pulley bearing, in particular, might be wearing out and causing that burning rubber smell. If it smells like an electrical fire, too much electricity could be going through wires, causing them to heat up unsafely. Maybe your alternator has frayed/damaged wires.
If you suspect your car or truck is having alternator issues, schedule a repair appointment with AV Bumper to Bumper of Lancaster, California, today by calling 661-949-1999. You can also use the online contact form, here.
