5 Faulty Alternator Warning Signs

An alternator is a generator that provides power to keep your vehicle’s battery charged. This is an important part of your vehicle, as it cannot run properly if the alternator fails. When you’re driving, you’ll want to stay alert for some of the warning signs that your vehicle’s alternator may be faulty. Take a look at some of the warning signs below, so you can take care of the problem as soon as possible.

Abnormal Engine Sounds and Smells

If you start your engine and it makes squealing or rattling noises, you may need to have your alternator looked at. Additionally, smelling burnt rubber could mean that the alternator belt is deteriorating. Make sure to inspect your alternator belt regularly so that you don’t replace the alternator when a less expensive component is creating the issue.

Structural Damage

Your alternator goes through a lot during its lifetime. Obviously, using it will cause wear over time, and this eventually has an impact on the structural integrity of the part’s casing. When inspecting your alternator, look for cracks or other damage, and replace it immediately if you notice any structural damage. If you have repeatedly replaced your alternator as a result of structural damage in an unreasonably short period of time, you may have more significant mechanical issues to deal with. This repeated issue can manifest if a pulley is off-center or the alternator’s tensioner is too tight.

Battery Refuses To Stay Charged

If your battery doesn’t stay charged, you could have a couple of different problems. Your battery could be too old to operate correctly, or your alternator could be damaged or dead. If your battery isn’t old, the latter is almost certainly the problem. An onboard computer keeps track of the voltage output of your alternator and the charge level of your battery. When either of them has issues, you should see a warning light turn on somewhere on the driver’s instrument panel.

Starting Difficulty or Stalling

If your vehicle stalls at stops or is particularly stubborn when you’re trying to start it, you may have a faulty alternator. Make sure you get your vehicle checked out as soon as possible after the first stalling incident. Procrastination can lead to disaster because a vehicle that stalls at the wrong moment can cause a severe accident.

Other Systems Keep Failing

A failing alternator will cause issues with every electrically powered system and feature in your vehicle. If your outlets and USB ports aren’t charging when devices are plugged in, your alternator may need attention. On the same note, your air conditioning and heating systems are connected to the alternator as are the safety systems, so if you notice problems with any of these elements, you should definitely have your alternator checked out.

As long as you stay vigilant in terms of vehicle maintenance, you should have no trouble discovering alternator issues before they cause serious problems. If you notice any of the issues listed above, bring your vehicle in to Toyota of Kingsport in Kingsport, TN to have it inspected before it becomes a major or costly problem.

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