The maximum amount of electricity a car alternator should produce is 14.5 volts. If your car’s alternator is producing more than that, your vehicle’s lights will get extremely bright. The opposite will occur if the alternator’s production is below normal; the lights will be dim. If the alternator fluctuates between the two extremes, the lights will flicker. Peerless Automotive can replace your alternator when it needs it. Here are other signs that it does.
Burning Electricity Odors
Another thing that will happen when the alternator goes crazy with electricity production is it will overload the engine’s electrical system. Consequently, the wires will get too hot and you will smell them and their rubber insulation burning. Stop driving your automobile to avoid an electrical fire.
Dashboard Warning Light
In addition to the unpleasant odors, you may end up with a warning light on your dashboard if the alternator is going bad. Specifically, the most common light that turns on in this instance is the battery light. If you drive an older automobile, the light that will turn on is the ALT light.
Difficult Starts/Dead Battery
As you will learn as you keep reading, the alternator provides power to many different things in your automobile. One of its primary responsibilities is to make sure that the battery is always charged. If you are having problems with your battery losing its charge, the alternator may not be charging it.
Frequent Stalling and Misfiring
This can make starting your car difficult, as can misfiring spark plugs. This can happen if the alternator is unable to provide the electricity the spark plugs need. Alongside a misfiring engine, you may also end up with a stalling engine if the problem is severe.
Noises Coming From the Engine
The alternator can start to make noises in the engine when it is wearing down. The noises that you might hear include grinding or growling. If there is an issue with the alternator belt, it might start to squeal. Have any odd engine noises checked out ASAP.
Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories
Finally, without an alternator, your vehicle’s accessories would not be powered. As such, you will end up with slow or malfunctioning accessories if the alternator is having problems producing power. In severe cases, the power accessories may not work at all.
Peerless Automotive in Olathe, KS, is here to help, so call us today to schedule a service appointment for an alternator test.