If you are wondering how many years you can expect to get out of your car’s factory alternator, Shums Auto Repair advises that the duration is about a decade. In mileage, the alternator tends to go bad between 100,000 miles and 150,000 miles. Do not worry. We can replace your car’s alternator when it needs it. The following are signs that it does.
Battery Warning Light
One of the first things that might happen is you may end up with an illuminated battery light on your vehicle’s dashboard. This can be a sign that the alternator has sent an error code to the engine control module. If you drive a classic automobile, the light may spell ALT.it might also spell GEN.
Dim/Flickering Lights
As you will discover as you keep reading, the alternator is responsible for providing power to many of your vehicle’s accessories and components. One of these components is the lights. If your lights are dim and flickering or too bright, the alternator is not sending the correct amount of electricity to them.
Frequent Engine Stalling
Another component that the alternator powers is the spark plugs. Consequently, if the alternator is having difficulties producing power, the spark plugs may start to misfire. When this happens, engine combustion is directly affected and your engine may start to stall frequently.
Hard Starts/Dead Battery
You may also have difficulty starting your automobile if the spark plugs are malfunctioning or the battery is having problems. The alternator is the electrical system part that ensures that the battery is always charged. If your battery is constantly discharging, the alternator may be malfunctioning.
Malfunctioning Accessories
Speaking of malfunctioning, the alternator is the electrical system part that provides power to your automobile’s power accessories. This includes things such as the navigation system, the radio/entertainment system, the power seats, and the power windows. If any of these accessories start to malfunction or slow down, your car likely needs a new alternator.
Overheated Electrical System
If you were wondering how many volts the alternator produces, the normal range is between 13 volts and 14.5 volts. You will note that we indicated above that your lights may be too bright if the alternator is malfunctioning. If they are, and you can smell hot electricity, the alternator is overproducing voltage.
Finally, Shums Auto Repair in Philadelphia, PA, advises that the alternator may start to growl in your engine if it is wearing down. Give us a call if you suspect your alternator is bad.
