However, the battery warning light indicates that there could be a problem within the wider electrical system of your car, including the alternator.Īlternators are designed to work at a specific voltage, typically between 13-14.5 volts. When the battery warning light pops up on the dashboard, it’s commonly mistaken to be a battery-specific issue. Damaged wires also create resistance to the flow of electricity, causing the wires to heat up and emit a foul odor. An overworked alternator tries to push too much electricity through its wires, causing them to heat up unsafely. Similarly, if your alternator is being overworked or if it has frayed or damaged wires, you may smell a burning odor comparable to an electrical fire. Because the alternator’s drive belt is under constant tension and friction - and because it’s close to the hot engine - it may wear out over time and emit an unpleasant burning rubber smell. Smell of Burning Rubber or WiresĪ foul odor of burning rubber or wires could indicate that parts of your alternator are starting to wear out. You may also hear this sound if the bearings that spin the rotor shaft are going bad. This growling or whining sound happens when the belt that turns the alternator’s pulley becomes misaligned or rubs against the side of the pulley.
ALTERNATOR PIGTAIL PROFESSIONAL
If you ever hear growling or whining noises coming from under the hood, you could have alternator problems, which should be checked out by a professional ASAP. Growling or Whining NoisesĬars make a ton of odd sounds - some are harmless while others can indicate serious mechanical problems. On the other hand, if your car is frequently stalling out while driving, it may be a sign that the spark plugs aren’t getting enough power from the alternator to keep the engine running. This means that when you turn the key in the ignition, all you'll hear is a clicking sound instead of the purr of your engine. Trouble Starting or Frequent StallingĪs previously mentioned, trouble starting your engine might mean that your alternator is failing to charge the battery. That way, if you’re driving with a failing alternator, you’ll lose power to your radio (or other nonessential accessories) before losing power to your headlights. Many modern vehicles also have a priority list of equipment programmed into the car that tells the onboard computer where to cut power first if the alternator isn’t supplying enough electricity.
ALTERNATOR PIGTAIL WINDOWS
If you notice your windows taking longer than usual to roll up or down, or if your seat warmers feel “off”, or even if your speedometer and other instruments start going haywire, you may have an alternator problem. Slow or Malfunctioning AccessoriesĪn alternator that isn’t supplying enough power to your car’s electronics often results in slow or non-working accessories.
However, if you jumpstart the car and it dies again shortly after, it might mean your alternator isn’t getting enough power to the battery. If you jumpstart your car and it stays running, your battery may need replacing soon. One way to test whether the issue is battery- or alternator-related is to jumpstart the car. Other times, however, a dead battery could be a sign that your alternator is malfunctioning.Ī bad alternator won’t sufficiently charge the battery while the engine is running, causing the charge to deplete faster than usual. Sometimes a dead battery is just a dead battery - it’s reached the end of its life after a few years of use - or maybe you accidentally left the headlights on all night. You may also experience flickering lights or lights that erratically go from bright to dim and vice-versa. Generally, that takes the form of under- or over-performing equipment, such as headlights that are either too dim or extremely bright. When an alternator begins to fail, it provides inconsistent voltage to your electronic accessories. Before that happens, though, you’ll likely encounter one or more of these seven signs of a failing alternator. If you’re experiencing car alternator problems, you may find that your car won’t start or stay on for more than a few minutes. But what exactly does an alternator do? Put simply, your alternator keeps your car battery charged, allowing you to turn on your car and use electronic accessories such as your headlights and radio. If you’ve heard the term “alternator” before, you probably know that it’s an essential part of your vehicle.
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