Your European car relies on the alternator to keep all of the power functions operating in the car. Spotting trouble with the alternator before that crucial part fails is tremendously important because it can spare you getting stranded somewhere. Here’s some information that Motor City European Repair hopes you find helpful.
Accessories Don’t Work
One sign of trouble anywhere in the electrical system is that the accessories that get plugged into your car don’t work the way that you expect them to work. Sometimes they might not work at all. The problem is often that it doesn’t seem like the problem is your alternator at first. It’s easy to blame whatever accessory you’re trying to get to function.
The Electrical System Seems to Be Having Issues in General
You could also notice other issues with the electrical system, like a weakened battery. That’s a sign that the alternator isn’t able to send power back to the battery to keep it charged. You could also start to smell electrical wiring melting, which is a distinctive smell.
There Are Weird Noises When the Alternator Really Gets Cranking
Under normal conditions, you probably don’t notice that when you put your car under a heavy load the alternator works a lot harder. The reason you don’t notice is that all of that happens fairly seamlessly until the alternator is having trouble. Belts might be squeaking, bearings might be screaming, and there might even be clunking or other types of sounds. As the load on the alternator gets heavier, like when you turn on the lights and the heat, you hear more of those sounds.
You’ve Got a Warning Light on the Dash
If you are seeing a warning light on the dashboard related to the electrical system, you can’t ignore it. The warning light in your car for electrical issues might be shaped a little bit like a cartoon of a battery or it might be words, like ALT, GEN, or BAT. Which one you see depends on your particular car and if you want to be sure what to watch out for, check your car’s owner’s manual.
Keeping your European car running means making sure that your alternator is in good shape. Contact us today at Motor City European Repair in Farmington, MI if you need to have your alternator checked. We’ll thoroughly test the battery, the alternator, and the rest of the electrical system to make sure all is well.
