What are alternators?
Your alternator serves an important purpose, as it powers all your car’s electric components such as the radio and headlights. You may wonder how an alternator works and why it’s so vital to the smooth operation of your vehicle.
Let’s talk about it.
What an Alternator Does
Yes, the battery is critical when you want to start your car when it’s already off, but the alternator keeps your car going once the engine is up and running. The alternator supplies the following components with direct current (DC) power while driving or idling:
- Headlights
- Steering
- Power windows
- Windshield wipers
- Heated seats
- Radio
- Dashboard instruments
The alternator essentially converts mechanical energy into electrical energy, powering a drive belt attached to a pulley, which is attached to the alternator. The pulley is responsible for turning the rotor shaft, which then spins magnets around a special coil. AC current is generated around the coil, which gets sent to the alternator’s rectifier. It’s this rectifier that is responsible for converting AC power into DC power, thereby activating the vehicle’s electrical systems.
Your alternator should last the life of your vehicle, but sometimes issues crop up due to excessive wear and tear, heat damage, moisture exposure, overuse, faulty parts, or frayed wires.
Warning Signs That Your Alternator is on the Fritz
If your alternator isn’t working properly, you won’t be able to start your car and keep it running for any length of time. But most people blame the battery at first for these problems when in fact it could be a failing alternator. The problem is, it’s tough to diagnose which component is the culprit. Bring your car to a trusted mechanic who specializes in alternator repair if you notice any of these problems:
Dim or Too-Bright Lights
When alternators start to fail, they give inconsistent voltage to the electronic accessories, which results in either under- or over-performing equipment. This includes headlights that are too dim or too bright. Or, they may flicker or operate erratically.
Dead Battery
Batteries don’t last forever. If your battery has reached the end of its life, there’s not much you can do other than replace it. Sometimes, a dead battery could also signal that your alternator is starting to fail.
A bad alternator cannot charge the battery enough while the engine is on, which depletes the charge faster than normal. To find out, you could try jumping the car. If it stays running, you may have to replace your battery very shortly. If it dies again right after you jump start it, this means the alternator isn’t providing sufficient power to the battery.
Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories
An alternator that can’t provide enough power to the electronics system can result in slow or inoperable accessories. Maybe your windows are slower to go up or down, or your seat warmers aren’t quite as toasty as they used to be. The alternator could be responsible.
Whining or Growling Noises
While many sounds a car makes are harmless, others can signal serious mechanical problems. If you have a bad alternator, you may hear a growling or whining sound emanating from the hood. This happens when the belt that turns the pulley gets misaligned or if you have worn bearings responsible for spinning the rotor shaft.
Odor of Burning Rubber or Wires
A foul odor that smells like burning rubber or wires could mean your alternator is wearing out. The drive belt is under a lot of stress all the time and can wear out over time, especially as it’s located near the hot engine. This is when you may be hit with an unpleasant burning rubber smell. This smell could also be from a seized alternator pulley bearing. If you smell something akin to an electrical fire, this could mean your alternator is frayed or has damaged wires.
Battery Warning Light
If you see this light up on your dashboard, you may think it’s a battery issue at first glance. But it could actually involve a failing alternator.
Contact Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza
If you are dealing with any of the above problems and aren’t sure if it’s the alternator or the battery to blame, let the diagnostic team at Rick & Ray’s Auto Plaza get to the bottom of it. Get a quote when you contact us today. We can troubleshoot the issue, let you know what’s going on, and make the necessary repair.
Our Services
Alternator Replacement
Nobody plans for their car to stop working. No doubt it’s an inconvenience when an alternator replacement is suddenly necessary. Big questions loom, like how long it’ll take to do an alternator replacement, and how much the job will end up costing.
Auto Air Conditioning Repair
Dealing with auto air conditioning repair brings about a few different problems. The heat outside can get pretty intense, making you incredibly uncomfortable whenever you go anywhere in your car. On top of that, the worry about how much an auto air conditioning repair will end up costing is stressful.
Auto Electrical
Most people realize that owning a car means some maintenance and repairs, but auto electrical service can add an unexpected level of stress to the experience. Vehicle owners often wonder how long such problems will take to resolve, and just as important how much it’ll end up costing.
Brake Repair
Any brake repair work should be taken seriously and performed with care. After all, you have a lot riding on your brakes every time you press down on the pedal. At the same time, we at Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza understand you might be concerned with how long a brake repair job will take and cost. One of our main objectives is to make the process painless, delivering superior customer service to make you a repeat customer.
Diesel Repair
Many shops don’t understand the specialized nature of diesel repair. It’s a different process than working on gas-powered vehicles, with plenty of unique considerations that must be taken into account. At Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza, we understand the importance of your diesel vehicle. You want diesel repairs or maintenance performed correctly the first time.
Emission Repair
No one anticipates needing an emission repair, but the time does come. Instead of worrying about what it means, trust the professionals to resolve the problem quickly and completely.
At Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza we understand that car trouble, including a necessary emission repair, can create some stress. That’s why we work hard to make your customer experience second to none. Our goal is to ensure you’re so pleased that you keep coming back to us.
Engine Repair
Dealing with engine repair issues can be stressful. You cannot use your vehicle, your ability to get around is limited, and you’re left wondering how big the final bill will be. At Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza we completely understand your concerns. Along with our engine repair expertise, we provide excellent customer service. In fact, we measure our success by whether or not you want to return to us for future maintenance and repairs.
Oil Change
Every vehicle needs an oil change service at regular intervals, or else some pretty big problems can crop up over time. Dirty oil will slowly wear away at different engine components, even leading to complete failure. Take the time to guard against a huge bill.
Transmission Repair
Dealing with a transmission repair can be stressful and potentially expensive. It’s a critical part of any car, because without the transmission working properly you literally won’t get very far.
Rick and Ray’s Auto Plaza understands your automotive needs. That’s why we work hard to do more than just fix your vehicle, providing you with the best customer service around. Our goal is to make every one of our customers happy, then see them again for future car maintenance and repairs.
Truck Repair
Your truck works hard just like you, so having it out of commission simply isn’t an option. Not only does an ailing truck limit how you get around, but it keeps you from tackling tough jobs. On top of it all, the stress of wondering what’s wrong, along with what your truck repairs will cost, hangs over your head.
Wheel Alignment
If you’re driving down I-35, do you feel like you’re in control of your vehicle? Are you fighting the steering wheel to hold your car straight in its lane? Or is your steering loose, causing you to wander between lane markers? You probably need a wheel alignment.
