Owning a vehicle is a big responsibility. You need to be able to pay attention to your car to be able to identify some common issues that are known to come about with cars. You also need to have the ability to maintain your vehicle regularly. While you may perform all of the necessary maintenance to your vehicle, there is still always a chance that things can go wrong. This doesn’t necessarily mean you are doing something wrong. It is also dependent on how well owners before you took care of the vehicle. Some issues are like a ticking clock; they’re bound to happen at some point.
One very common issue to come about in a vehicle is alternator problems. Luckily, if you pay close attention to your vehicle you can generally tell if that is what the issue is. There are usually five telltale signs that you are experiencing alternator problems with your vehicle. So, if you are an observant person then you should have the ability to notice these give key signs.
If your vehicle is somewhat newer, having been built within the last ten years, then you should have a warning light that will come on. It is usually in the shape of a battery, but others may show “ALT” or “GEN.” This light is setup to come on if the alternator’s output goes above or below the pre-set limit. If the alternator problems are still in the early stages, there is a possibility that the light may flicker on and off. There is also a possibility that it may only come on when your headlights, dome light, or windshield wipers are on.
As the alternator serves as the vehicle’s electrical supply, the next very common sign of alternator problems are dim lights. This includes dim headlights, dim dome lights, and dim dash lights. Anything electrical within the vehicle can begin to experience issues. The radio and speedometer are just a couple of examples of what else could be affected by alternator problems. What all is affected is dependent on how much power the alternator is still getting as well as how long the alternator has before it completely dies. It also depends on the programming of the vehicle. Some newer vehicles are now programmed with where the electricity left will be sent in the case that an alternator problem comes about. This is generally programmed according to what is necessary as far as safety is concerned. So, if you have a newer car, your radio will probably switch off before your headlights.
If you have a feeling you’re experiencing an alternator issue, pop open your hood. If you notice any cracking of the belt, you are probably right. In severe instances, you may notice the belt is loose or hanging off or even missing completely. As you are driving, you may hear a rumbling or squealing noise before your alternator goes out. The alternator works in conjunction with a pulley with either an accessory belt or a serpentine belt along with the crankshaft pulley. The alternator pulley spins on a shaft, which is supported by bearings or or bushings. If the bearings or bushings are worn out, the noises you hear will inform you there is a problem. Smelling burnt rubber or hot wires is another sign of alternator problems. If the alternator pulley is not in alignment, there will be more friction on the belt. This will create heat and the smell of burnt rubber. The smell of hot wires comes from an overheating alternator.
While a dead battery can happen without an alternator problem, there is also a chance that the starting problem could be because of the alternator. It’s not the fact that the battery is dead, it’s why it’s dead that could make it an alternator problem. When an alternator begins to die, the battery picks up the slack from the dying alternator instead of acting as a capacitor. Eventually, the car battery will become run down and in the end will die. Car batteries were not made for long-term power use. If after a jump, the car dies again; it is an alternator problem and not just a normal dead battery.
If the car battery is dead as well as many other electrical components, you may be looking at loose or broken connections. This can be another sign of alternator problems. The alternator is producing electricity, but it’s not going anywhere. Any issues with the wires, cables, or other connections can make for an issue getting power through the vehicle. Generally, if this is the case you will smell hot wires.
If you keep a lookout for all of these potential signs, you should be able to spot an alternator issue very quickly. This will help you to not end up stranded on the side of the road. If you notice your alternator is going out prior to it fully dying, you can get it replaced before the end result is a really bad one.