How to Tell If Your Car’s Alternator Is Failing

There are many parts needed for a vehicle to function properly, none more important than the alternator. Your vehicle’s alternator keeps your battery charged, allowing you to use all of the electronic accessories within the vehicle, and more importantly, start the vehicle. At Mighty Auto Pro, we’ve fixed more than our fair share of alternators over the years, and we wanted to talk about a few different signs you can look for that show your car’s alternator is failing.

Your Lights Are Too Dim or Too Bright

If you’ve noticed that the headlights on your vehicle are shining too bright, or aren’t shining enough, it’s not a good sign. If the lights are dim, it could be because the bulbs are going bad, or it could be a sign that your alternator is beginning to fail. Often, when an alternator starts to go wrong it may provide inconsistent voltage.

Battery is Dead

If you’ve ever walked out to your vehicle looking to go somewhere, only to discover your battery is dead, you know how frustrating it can be. Your alternator is responsible for charging the battery in your vehicle, so if the battery is dead, it could be a sign that your alternator is failing or has failed. 

Electronic Accessories Acting Slow

Have you noticed the electronic accessories in your vehicle acting slowly? We all love listening to the radio, and during the summer months we use the air conditioner and in the winter months the heater. If you notice the electronic parts of these accessories are responding slowly, it could mean your alternator is having issues.

Growling or Whining Coming From Under the Hood

Cars can make a lot of different noises, but they all mean something. If you’re hearing a growling or whining noise coming from under your vehicle’s head, it could be your alternator belt, and you’ll want to have it looked at soon, as it could indicate a misalignment in the alternator. Over time this could lead to even bigger problems.

A Burning Smell

If you’re smelling a foul odor coming from under the hood, it could indicate that certain components within your alternator have gone bad. It will probably smell like burnt rubber or it could smell like burning wires or an electrical fire. These parts will need to be replaced before you can ride smoothly again.

Have Your Vehicle’s Alternator Serviced by a Professional

Do you suspect you’re having an issue with the alternator in your vehicle? You need your alternator working properly, or you may find yourself stranded and unable to start your vehicle. You don’t want that to happen. Instead, you should have your vehicle’s alternator serviced by an experienced auto mechanic. At Mighty Auto Pro, we have been helping people keep their vehicles rolling on the road for years. Reach out to us today to learn more about all of the auto maintenance services we offer. We look forward to working with you!