If your car, truck, or utility vehicle is seven years old or older, or if you have 100,000 miles to 150,000 miles on it, this is the average lifespan of the vehicle’s alternator. If you notice any of the problems below, Accurate Auto advises that your alternator could be going bad or has died completely.
Causes a Dead Battery
The alternator keeps the battery charged. While your vehicle is running, the battery slowly discharges. If it weren’t for the alternator sending power back to the battery, your battery would die. If your battery is dead, and it is less than three years old, it’s possible that your alternator is actually the problem rather than the battery. It may no longer be powering the battery.
Dims the Lights
A dying alternator can also make all of the lights on your automobile dimmer. It’s easier to notice this at night because your headlights will not seem as bright as they normally are and your dashboard light will seem dimmer. This can also be a sign of battery trouble, but, again, battery trouble may be caused by the dying alternator.
Makes it Hard to Start Your Car
A dying alternator also makes it difficult to start your car. This is because it isn’t infusing the battery with power as it normally would. It may take a while to get your vehicle started, i.e., a few cranks, and, eventually, you won’t be able to get your car started at all.
Makes Your Car Stall
The alternator also provides power to your spark plugs. The spark plugs use this power to ignite the air and fuel that is found in the combustion chamber. If the alternator is going bad, it may not be sending enough power to the spark plugs and your engine will misfire. You may think it’s a spark plug problem, but it could be an alternator problem.
Produces Burning Smells
A dying alternator can also produce burning smells. This is because the internal mechanisms are overheating. You may smell what smells like hot electricity. If you detect this odor, it’s important that you don’t drive your automobile. You don’t want to start an electrical fire. If you smell burning rubber, it could be the alternator belt.
Slows Down the Accessories
Finally, the alternator powers all of your electrical accessories. This includes your vehicle’s entertainment system, the GPS, and the power windows and seats. A dying alternator will slow these accessories down or cause them to malfunction completely.
Accurate Auto is located in Beaverton, OR. We also have the best auto service shops in Lake Oswego and Hillsboro. We can test your alternator to determine if it needs to be replaced. If it does, we will replace it.