Have you noticed your car is having trouble starting? Are you finding yourself constantly having to replace the battery? It’s a sign you need an alternator replacement.
An alternator turns mechanical energy into electrical energy. The flow of energy helps keep the battery in your car charged. If you notice your car’s battery life is short, it could mean you have a bad alternator.
The nice part is that the lifespan of an alternator is about seven years or anywhere from 80,000 to 150,000 miles. Your car gives you plenty of warning ahead of time for when you’re having alternator problems.
This article lists five signs your vehicle needs an alternator replacement.
Scroll down to learn more!
Table of Contents
1. Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling
Picture this: you get in your car, put your seat belt on, turn the key, and nothing happens. If your alternator is wearing out, it can make starting your car a process, no matter how many times you turn the key.
A bad alternator can also cause your car to stall while you are out driving. Stalling happens when there isn’t enough power getting to the spark plugs in your engine. It can make for a dangerous situation.
2. Dimmed Lights
The alternator provides voltage to your electronic accessories.
Once you turn your car on, check if the headlights or interior lights are dim or flickering. You may also notice the lights being too bright and then too dark. If you do, it’s a clear sign you are having alternator problems.
3. Draining Battery
The battery and alternator work together. A dead or dying battery hints that you need an alternator replacement. A weak alternator won’t give your battery the charge it needs.
The lack of energy will cause it to deplete faster than usual. You can test if a bad alternator is causing your dead battery or if it’s something else. Do this by jumpstarting your car. After the jumpstart, if your battery stays running, you are clear.
If it starts but dies again shortly after, you’ll be replacing an alternator.
4. Burnt Rubber Smell
A nasty odor in your car that isn’t coming from the leftover takeout in the backseat is cause for alarm. If the belt in the alternator isn’t able to rotate, it will cause friction, causing the rubber to burn. The wires inside can also get hot, which will cause an unpleasant order.
Make sure you get your car to a mechanic ASAP.
5. Grinding Sounds
Besides the smell, you may also notice a growling or grinding noise coming from the hood of your car. This whining happens when the belt is rubbing the wrong side. Or if the bearings on your alternator are going bad. Either way, you need to get it checked out by a professional.
To see about replacing an alternator, click here.
Don’t Wait to Get an Alternator Replacement
If your car is experiencing any of the above problems, it’s time for an alternator replacement. Make an appointment with a mechanic today.
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