Signs You Need an Alternator Repair at Toyota of Kingsport

An alternator has a relatively long life, but it will eventually start to wear out. If this happens, it’s time for an alternator repair. As your local Toyota dealer, we can easily fix any alternator problem for you. These are some of the signs that your alternator is damaged and needs to be fixed.

Dead Battery

One of your alternator’s responsibilities is charging the battery. Your battery requires power to provide the charge that starts your engine, and it also maintains your car’s electrical systems when you park. As your alternator gets older, it starts to produce less power. The lack of power generated by the alternator will affect all your electrical systems and it can kill your battery.

If the battery isn’t being fully recharged, it will grow steadily weaker. Eventually, your battery won’t have enough power to start your engine. It’s also important to remember that your battery can fail for reasons other than a bad alternator. Our technicians will test your alternator and replace it if it’s failing.

Worn Alternator Belt

Your alternator belt is connected to the crankshaft, and it moves as the crankshaft turns. This belt runs across several pulleys, and this movement causes the pulleys to spin. The spinning pulleys provide electricity to the component they’re attached to. The alternator belt is very tough, as it has to continually move at high speed under very hot conditions.

If the belt gets damaged or worn, you’ll begin hearing screeching noises under the hood. The belt will make additional sounds if it’s running across a jammed pulley. A damaged alternator belt can also snap. If this happens the alternator will shut down and your car will lose all electrical power.  We will check the condition of your belt and replace it ifs it’s damaged.

Burning Wiring

Buring insulation has a foul stench, and if you smell this, you could have damaged wiring. Electricity produced by the alternator is transmitted to the various components through wires. These wires have protective plastic and rubber coverings to protect them against the hot conditions in the engine. All wires, however, can eventually wear out or break.

If any wiring is damaged, the wire will heat up as the alternator continues to send more power through the damaged wires. If the wires get hot enough, they may catch fire. Burning insulation is harmful as it produces damaging fumes. It’s important to get your wiring checked ASAP. Our technicians will examine your wiring and fix any damage we find.

Alternators always show signs that they’re failing, and this gives you time to arrange a replacement. Schedule an appointment at Toyota of Kingsport in Kingsport, TN and our expert technicians will fix the problem for you.

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