Is your car older than seven years old or has over 100,000 miles? Your alternator may be the cause of your headache. Alternators are necessary to keep your car running in tip-top shape.
Read more about alternators and why yours needs to be in working order.
Alternators
When you start your car, have you ever wondered how it keeps running? Your alternator is to thank for that. The alternator can also be known as the car’s generator.
It can recharge power to the battery. The alternator sends voltage to the battery, and how does it know how to do that? There is a voltage regulator inside the alternator.
Many years ago, it was common to have your alternator repaired, but now, most mechanics replace the entire alternator.
Working Alternators
How does an alternator work? Inside your car’s engine, a pulley system spins magnets around the copper coils. This is how electrical energy is created from mechanical energy.
This system is what allows your car to follow commands seamlessly. For example, when you’re putting your windows down, the alternator sends a voltage-current to put the window up or down.
In the future, a phantom charger may be the solution to using solar energy to charge your battery whether it is parked or being driven.
Symptoms of Faulty Alternators
Unfortunately, an alternator can go bad at any time, but it happens more to older or used cars. As the lifecycle continues on the car, normal wear and tear can cause your faulty alternator.
If your car doesn’t start, this could be the battery or the alternator. Again, the alternator charges the battery as the car is driven.
So, if you’re able to get your car jumped or started, the alternator can charge the battery for a short amount of time until you can have the battery replaced.
Another sign of a failing alternator can be your headlights. If they seem a little too dim than normal, this can be due to the alternator not supplying enough electrical energy.
If your windows are going up or down slowly, this is another sign of decreased power. If you use these features often, you should recognize when they are not performing correctly.
Also, if you start smelling something like sulfur or burning, it might be time to have your alternator checked. This can indicate the belt which helps it to move is slowly failing.
Testing Your Alternator
It is best to have a mechanic look under your hood to see if your alternator is working properly. If you happen to be stuck and want to check it yourself, you can test the battery voltage.
Not everyone has special tools lying around, but you want to use a multimeter and press the tongs to the battery. If it is reading between 12-14, then your alternator is working.
If this voltage doesn’t remain the same while testing or drops completely, you’ll want to have it checked by a professional.
Expand Your Knowledge
Alternators are necessary for the car to run smoothly. If you find yours isn’t working properly, it is best to take action immediately. If your car doesn’t have any problems, there is no need to worry about your alternator.
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