The alternator sends power to all your vehicle’s electronics while driving. If it’s not performing properly, here are some of the signs you might have a faulty alternator.

Newer cars have a great deal more electric components but in order to have all the needed power for the components without any issues, you need a power source that comes from the alternator.

The alternator delivers power to your battery along with the entire electrical system including your lights, ignition, stereo, etc.

The alternator is attached to the battery to guarantee your battery will not run out while your vehicle is running.

In most cases, you will not be aware when it’s time to replace the battery or what you might have to pay to find out. We will give you some signs to watch out for so you will know in advance.

The most common sign that your alternator is going bad, the warning light on your dashboard will come on. Other issues include your car’s lights will flicker or you will have difficulty starting your car. Should you hear sounds coming from your engine, it couldd be coming from an alternator that is failing.

The Battery Warning Light

If you have checked all the warning lights on your dashboard while the ignition is on but your car’s engine is not turning over, you should see a warning light on your dashboard with a car battery icon.

There are two signs to watch out for:

The ignition is running and the battery power is over 13 volts. Under normal circumstances, the battery has 12 volts and if the alternator is charging, it should read around 14.2 volts in your system.

If the voltage in the system drops below 13 volts while the ignition is running, the battery light on your dashboard will light up letting you know the alternator is not charging correctly.

Your Car Lights Are Flickering Or Dim

Keep in mind, that your headlights need a lot of power. The more power your headlights get, the brighter your headlights will be.

If your alternator is going out, the voltage going to your headlights will drop significantly and they will become dim. If your headlights seem fainter than before, there’s a good chance you have an issue with the alternator.

If your headlights start flickering, that’s caused by an unstable voltage coming from the alternator.

Newer cars have LED headlights meaning you will not experience dimming lights from a faulty alternator. The downside to that, your lights could go out completely before you even know there is a problem with your alternator.

Problems Starting Your Car

Every time you drive, the alternator should completely recharge the battery. When your car has been parked and you want to drive, the battery should be fully charged.

On the other hand, if your alternator is failing, it will not charge the battery every time you drive. Eventually, your car will drain more power than is being charged and your car will eventually not turn over.

When your car feels tired every time you start it, chances are there’s an issue with the alternator.

Sounds Are Coming From The Engine Bay

To explain, the alternator is made up of bearings and other spinning electronic parts. If your alternator is damaged, you might hear squealing or banging sounds coming from it.

The most common issue is a bad bearing inside the generator which will send out a scratching sound. It’s very easy to see the alternator from the engine bay, open it and listen to locate where the sound is coming from.

In some cases, the car’s alternator is located far down in the engine bay making it very difficult to listen for noises. If that’s the case, you should contact a professional mechanic to help you out.

The Battery Continually Drains

If you charge your battery on a regular basis but it continually drains, even if it’s new or in good condition, chances are you have an issue with the alternator.

There are several reasons why the alternator is not charging the way it should.

Other Electronic Failures

If you have an electronic component that is not getting the right voltage, there could be several reasons why. Newer cars have many more electronic parts that need power.

If you have low voltage going to components it could be caused by a faulty alternator. You might experience many strange issues both inside and outside your car. If you think something abnormal is going on with your car, it’s a good idea to check out the alternator or get someone to help you.

Alternator Locations

Normally, the alternator is located at the front of the engine near the serpentine belt. It’s usually, located at a high point of the engine but it can also be further down.

If you don’t know, the serpentine belt powers the alternator, and the belt is powered by the crankshaft pulley. The pulley is located at the front of the engine.

The alternator is a very important part of the overall operation of your car. You should have it checked out regularly to ensure it’s running properly.

If you believe you have an issue with your alternator or are considering a service, repair or MOT for you can book your vehicle in to one of our 4 branches by using the simple form below or give us a call at Oldham 0161 624 5060, Heywood on 01706 622633, Bury 0161 761 3030 and our Oldham Van Centre 0161 628 5270.

We also offer a highly convenient Collect & Return service or a Courtesy Car to ensure your routine is disrupted as little as possible while your vehicle is serviced, repaired or undergoes an MOT.

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