Sometimes, it’s hard to tell if your car problems are being caused by a dying alternator or a dying battery. These two parts that make up a portion of your vehicle’s electrical system have the same symptoms when they are going bad. Kurth’s Auto Repair is going to list the symptoms of a dying alternator below, but keep in mind, we will test both your alternator and battery to pinpoint the exact problem that is causing the issues listed.
Dashboard Warning
One of the first things that will happen if your alternator is dying is you will receive a dashboard warning alongside one or more of the rest of the signs. Depending on the age of your vehicle, you may be warned by a battery-shaped light or a light that spells out ALT or GEN.
Dead Battery
The alternator is responsible for keeping the battery charged. As you drive, the battery discharges and the alternator pushes power back into the battery. If the alternator allows the battery to discharge completely because it is dying, you will end up with a dead battery.
Dim Lights
You will also notice that your lights seem dimmer, that they flicker, or that they are suddenly very bright and then go dim. This includes your headlights, your taillights, and the interior lights including the dashboard light. This can make driving at night very difficult.
Faulty Accessories
Another sign that your alternator is going out is problems with your vehicle’s power accessories. It may take more time to adjust your power seats or your power windows may be slower. You may also have problems with the entertainment accessories and your GPS.
Frequent Stalling
If the dying alternator is unable to power the spark plugs, your vehicle’s engine will misfire and you will stall frequently. This problem points more to the alternator than the battery. In fact, you may notice the engine misfiring once you get the vehicle started and as you drive.
Growling Noises
If the alternator’s internal mechanisms are wearing down, you may hear growling noises coming from underneath the hood. If you hear whining noises, this suggests that there is a problem with the alternator belt and its pulley.
Hard Starts
Finally, a dying alternator makes it very difficult to start your automobile. It may crank several times before it catches and starts. If the alternator is dying, however, the battery will discharge and the engine will eventually die.
Call Kurth’s Auto Repair in New Hope, MN, today if you believe your alternator is going bad. As we said above, we will test both the alternator and the battery to determine which part is faulty.
