If your car is getting hard to start or it stops running after you get it started, you may be worried about some kind of problem either with the alternator, the car battery, or the car starter. Head to your auto shop and have your mechanic check out these three components to pinpoint the source of your starting problems.
If your mechanic has ruled out the car starter and the battery as the culprit, that means the alternator is the source of your problem. The alternator’s job is to keep the battery charged. A bad alternator cannot do its job and thus, the battery will not have enough power to ignite the car starter, eventually dying completely. There is no set mileage interval for an alternator, but its quality, how the car is driven, and how many electronic accessories are being used all have an effect on how long an alternator will last.
So what are the signs of alternator failure, you ask? Although the alternator can die with little or no warning., there are several signs you can notice when it is starting to go bad:
- The "ALT" or "GEN" light illuminates on the instrument panel.
- The lights are dimmer than usual and may pulsate from dim to bright.
- Other electrical systems, such as power windows, power locks, air conditioning, radio, GPS, etc., will start to act up.
- Bearings in the engine may fail, creating unusual rattles.
- The engine will stall as there is not enough power in the spark plugs to start the engine or to keep it running.
- The battery will lose its charge.
Tip to Remember: The starter system was designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions. However, normal wear and tear, extreme weather, bad road conditions, or poor maintenance can all create problems.
Wondering what are the signs of alternator failure? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about car starters, batteries, and alternators and to schedule an appointment. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
If your car is getting hard to start or it stops running after you get it started, you may be worried about some kind of problem either with the alternator, the car battery, or the car starter. Head to your auto shop and have your mechanic check out these three components to pinpoint the source of your starting problems.
If your mechanic has ruled out the car starter and the battery as the culprit, that means the alternator is the source of your problem. The alternator’s job is to keep the battery charged. A bad alternator cannot do its job and thus, the battery will not have enough power to ignite the car starter, eventually dying completely. There is no set mileage interval for an alternator, but its quality, how the car is driven, and how many electronic accessories are being used all have an effect on how long an alternator will last.
So what are the signs of alternator failure, you ask? Although the alternator can die with little or no warning., there are several signs you can notice when it is starting to go bad:
- The "ALT" or "GEN" light illuminates on the instrument panel.
- The lights are dimmer than usual and may pulsate from dim to bright.
- Other electrical systems, such as power windows, power locks, air conditioning, radio, GPS, etc., will start to act up.
- Bearings in the engine may fail, creating unusual rattles.
- The engine will stall as there is not enough power in the spark plugs to start the engine or to keep it running.
- The battery will lose its charge.
Tip to Remember: The starter system was designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions. However, normal wear and tear, extreme weather, bad road conditions, or poor maintenance can all create problems.
Wondering what are the signs of alternator failure? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Rum River Automotive for more information about car starters, batteries, and alternators and to schedule an appointment. Since 1997, our auto shop has served vehicle owners in Princeton, MN, and in the surrounding areas of Milaca, MN, and Zimmerman, MN.
