How Do You Know If Your Alternator Is Bad
How Do You Know If Your Alternator Is Bad. Car owners know it’s important to maintain a vehicle to get the most out of it. If you pay attention, you can spot clues that parts or entire systems are wearing out or failing. The alternator is a crucial component in the starting and charging system. If you drive a car for long enough, you may notice signs that the car’s alternator is reaching the end of its life. Ignoring these factors can lead to you finding yourself stranded or otherwise unable to use your car, so it’s best to be proactive and replace this part. By heeding the signs of a bad alternator, you can save yourself some stress and a lot of hassles.
Dimming Lights
If the brightness of your Lights Begins To Dim, you could have a problem with the alternator. This part is connected to all electrical components in the vehicle, which causes the interior lights to begin to suffer as the alternator starts to have problems. The dimness may vary depending on how close to dying the alternator may be. Slight dimness indicates that issues are starting, so it’s a good time to check out the alternator and consider replacing it. You may even notice dashboard lights and displays start to dim and get lighter. Headlights may also appear dim when driving at night due to a failing alternator.
Warning Lights
Many cars will show a light shaped like a battery on the dashboard display or close to the speedometer. While this can sometimes indicate a battery problem, the car’s computer is telling you that the battery is not fully charged, which can also indicate alternator trouble. With some vehicles, the warning light for the alternator may be an ALT indicator. When the voltage begins to decrease, different accessories will be affected.
New Noises
Shortly before this part fails, it’s common to hear a growling or whining noise. You may not immediately recognize this sound as a clue that the alternator is going haywire, so it’s important to take the vehicle to a mechanic to investigate the source of strange noises, regardless of what the outcome may be.
A Dead Battery
Many people have experienced the frustration of finding that their Car Battery Is Dead. But the battery might not be the culprit. You could have a new battery working well one day but failing the next because of the alternator. When the alternator stops working properly, the battery will try to compensate by supplying as much power as possible. The battery is able to provide enough power to start the vehicle, but it may not have enough power for long-term use. If your battery stops working, be sure to test the battery and the charging system rather than assuming other issues aren’t causing the failure.
Mopar Extended Warranty
If you have an existing Extended Warranty and you find yourself stranded, you’ll be covered with roadside assistance. A Mopar extended warranty provides 24 hour “Sign-And-Go” towing and roadside assistance. Also, benefits include towing, flat tire change, battery jump, out-of-gas fuel delivery, lock out service. Towing assistance will only be dispatched for mechanical disablement which renders the vehicle inoperative. The plan will cover towing and roadside assistance in instances where it is not covered by the factory warranty.
Checking if your Alternator Is Covered Under Warranty is a great way to be informed and know what to do if your alternator stops working!
