The alternator is one of the most important parts of your vehicle, responsible for generating electrical power to keep your battery charged up and your electrical systems functioning correctly. If it breaks down, the consequences can be very problematic, which is why it’s so important to seek out alternator repair if you notice that something might be wrong. Here are some of the most common warning signs to watch out for as a driver in College Park, MD.
Warning Light
Warning lights make it clear when something isn’t quite right with your vehicle, and there’s a specific light that should show up if the alternator is failing in any way. Look out for a light that reads ‘ALT’ (this stands for alternator) or ‘GEN’ (this stands for generator) or appears in the form of a battery.
Frequent Stalling
Your car needs a steady supply of electricity to run smoothly, and if the alternator isn’t working correctly, you may notice your vehicle stalling from time to time for no obvious reason.
Unreliable Starting
Your vehicle needs sufficient electricity to start up, too. The alternator plays a key role in this, helping to power the spark plugs that get your engine running. When the alternator starts to break down, your car can be a lot harder to start.
Weak Headlights
The alternator plays a vital role in keeping your headlights powered up to help you see clearly while driving in dark and dimly-lit areas. When the alternator isn’t working at full capacity, the headlights may not have enough power to function correctly. This can result in headlight beams that seem weaker than usual or randomly flicker while switched on, and it can be very dangerous to drive with unreliable headlights.
Failing Features
The headlights aren’t the only part of your car that relies on electricity. You might also have power windows, locks, a car radio, air conditioning, or other electrical features that can start to struggle, fail, or behave strangely when the alternator needs repairing.
Strange Smells
If you smell something strange in your vehicle, there are many different components that could be to blame. The alternator is one of them, as broken alternators sometimes give off a smell like burning rubber.
Odd Noises
As well as strange smells, you should also listen out for odd noises in your vehicle. A broken alternator can sometimes cause a rattling sound around the engine area.
Dead Battery
The alternator is what helps to keep your car’s battery powered up. Batteries will wear out eventually, and the alternator might not always be to blame, but if your battery has died unusually quickly, this could be a sign of alternator issues.
As we can see, there are a lot of possible issues that can arise when an alternator begins to break down. If you notice any of them, getting your car repaired as quickly as possible is vital to avoid further complications. You can easily schedule a service at DARCARS Nissan of College Park where our expert technicians will handle any alternator repair for you.
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