Von Schledorn Auto Group Official Blog
Is your alternator failing?
By Product Expert | Posted in Tips and Info on Tuesday, October 1st, 2019 at 6:58 pm
Signs of a bad alternator
Every once in awhile, you’re bound to run into problems with your vehicle. If you go to start your car and all you hear is a clicking noise, you may be quick to assume the battery is dead. Unfortunately, it can be more complex than that. Sometimes it’s due to a failing alternator. If that’s the case, replacing the battery won’t do anything. In fact, you may find that your new battery will die right away too. Below we’ve listed some of the signs of a bad alternator so you’ll have a better idea of how to diagnose your vehicle the next time you run into problems.
Dim/flickering lights on the dashboard
If you notice that the lights on your dashboard are more dim than usual or are flickering, this could be due to the alternator failing.
Check engine light is on
The check engine light can go on for many different reasons, but when it’s on in conjunction with one or more of the other symptoms, consider the alternator before assuming it’s just a dead battery.
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Electrical issues
Have you noticed that the electrical components in the vehicle are slower than usual? Try opening and closing the windows or moving the seats if they are power controlled. A failing alternator can cause these features to work slower.
Stalling engine
This goes back to the point about electrical issues. Is your car suddenly turning off while driving? Fuel injection needs electric power, so a failing alternator can cause the engine to stall.
Dead battery
A bad alternator will force the vehicle to use up more power from the battery, which will drain it quicker. Simply replacing the battery but doing nothing about the alternator will be no good, as this will just drain all the power from the new battery as well.
Service your vehicle in Milwaukee WI
Think it may be time to have your vehicle looked at? Whether it’s a failing alternator or some other issue, our team at Eric von Schledorn can help you out. Schedule a service appointment with us today!
