Have Auto Electrical Problems?
If you are noticing that your car is hard to start, you may be wondering if the car starter is going bad or the battery is dying. However, other car problems may have you wondering, “How do you know if your car has electrical problems?” Head to your auto shop for a diagnostic test as soon as possible so you don’t find yourself stranded somewhere on a cold winter day and you don’t know why.
All too often, the alternator is the culprit for electrical problems. Although a seemingly simple part, the alternator plays a critical role in the running of your vehicle. The mechanical energy of the engine's rotating crankshaft is turned into electricity through the alternator, which then powers your car’s accessories and also keeps the battery charged.
An alternator that is going bad will show one or more of the signs below:
- Alternator Warning Light –This little light (shaped like a battery) warns of a potential problem with the alternator.
- Strange Sounds – Strange sounds coming from under the hood could be that the pulley in the alternator is going bad.
- Hot Smell – A hot burning smell could be caused by an over-heating alternator, worn-out wires, or a circuit or fuse malfunction.
- Dimming Lights and Faulty Accessories – The alternator isn’t keeping the battery charged enough to run the lights and other power accessories?
- Dead Battery – A jump-start makes take care of a dead battery for the moment, but don’t forget to have your battery and alternator inspected in case they are starting to go bad.
- Broken connections – Broken connections can lead to electrical malfunctions, such as power windows, door locks, GPS, and other accessories. Reconnecting an inline fuse or a little wire could take care of the problem.
Have questions about how do you know if your car has electrical problems? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about alternators, car starters, and batteries, and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
If you are noticing that your car is hard to start, you may be wondering if the car starter is going bad or the battery is dying. However, other car problems may have you wondering, “How do you know if your car has electrical problems?” Head to your auto shop for a diagnostic test as soon as possible so you don’t find yourself stranded somewhere on a cold winter day and you don’t know why.
All too often, the alternator is the culprit for electrical problems. Although a seemingly simple part, the alternator plays a critical role in the running of your vehicle. The mechanical energy of the engine's rotating crankshaft is turned into electricity through the alternator, which then powers your car’s accessories and also keeps the battery charged.
An alternator that is going bad will show one or more of the signs below:
- Alternator Warning Light –This little light (shaped like a battery) warns of a potential problem with the alternator.
- Strange Sounds – Strange sounds coming from under the hood could be that the pulley in the alternator is going bad.
- Hot Smell – A hot burning smell could be caused by an over-heating alternator, worn-out wires, or a circuit or fuse malfunction.
- Dimming Lights and Faulty Accessories – The alternator isn’t keeping the battery charged enough to run the lights and other power accessories?
- Dead Battery – A jump-start makes take care of a dead battery for the moment, but don’t forget to have your battery and alternator inspected in case they are starting to go bad.
- Broken connections – Broken connections can lead to electrical malfunctions, such as power windows, door locks, GPS, and other accessories. Reconnecting an inline fuse or a little wire could take care of the problem.
Have questions about how do you know if your car has electrical problems? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about alternators, car starters, and batteries, and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
