Is your car getting hard to start? Does it stop running after you get it started? You may be wondering if the problem is caused by a bad battery, a failing car starter, or a bad alternator? Are you worried about how often should an alternator be replaced? So that you can trust your car again, head to your auto shop and have these three components (the starter, the alternator, and the battery) of the starter system checked out. Even though the starter system was designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions, normal wear and tear, extreme weather and road conditions, or poor maintenance can all create problems.
There are several things that can ruin an alternator, leading to a needed replacement:
- Using jumper cables wrong,
- Overloading the charging system with too many accessories,
- Leaking fluid, or
- A tight belt that can damage bearings.
If the car starter and the battery have been ruled out as the culprit of your starting problems, it leaves the alternator. Just what does the alternator do, you wonder? The alternator (located on the engine) charges the battery. Then the battery ignites the starter. But it’s the alternator that keeps the car running by continuously keeping the battery charged. When the alternator goes bad and can no longer keep the battery charged, it will eventually die.
Just how often should an alternator be replaced? There is no set service interval for alternators. Its lifespan has generally affected the quality of the part, how the car is driven, and how many electronic accessories are being used. Unfortunately, the alternator can die with little or no warning. Here are some signs you will notice when it is starting to go bad:
- The "ALT" or "GEN" light illuminates on the instrument panel.
- The lights are dimmer than usual and may pulsate from dim to bright.
- Other electrical systems, such as power windows, power locks, air conditioning, radio, GPS, etc., will start to act up.
- Bearings in the engine may fail, creating unusual rattles.
- The engine will stall as there is not enough power in the spark plugs to start the engine or to keep it running.
- The battery will lose its charge because the alternator can’t keep it charged.
Wondering how often should an alternator be replaced? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about car starters, alternators, and batteries and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
Is your car getting hard to start? Does it stop running after you get it started? You may be wondering if the problem is caused by a bad battery, a failing car starter, or a bad alternator? Are you worried about how often should an alternator be replaced? So that you can trust your car again, head to your auto shop and have these three components (the starter, the alternator, and the battery) of the starter system checked out. Even though the starter system was designed for repeated use under a variety of weather and road conditions, normal wear and tear, extreme weather and road conditions, or poor maintenance can all create problems.
There are several things that can ruin an alternator, leading to a needed replacement:
- Using jumper cables wrong,
- Overloading the charging system with too many accessories,
- Leaking fluid, or
- A tight belt that can damage bearings.
If the car starter and the battery have been ruled out as the culprit of your starting problems, it leaves the alternator. Just what does the alternator do, you wonder? The alternator (located on the engine) charges the battery. Then the battery ignites the starter. But it’s the alternator that keeps the car running by continuously keeping the battery charged. When the alternator goes bad and can no longer keep the battery charged, it will eventually die.
Just how often should an alternator be replaced? There is no set service interval for alternators. Its lifespan has generally affected the quality of the part, how the car is driven, and how many electronic accessories are being used. Unfortunately, the alternator can die with little or no warning. Here are some signs you will notice when it is starting to go bad:
- The "ALT" or "GEN" light illuminates on the instrument panel.
- The lights are dimmer than usual and may pulsate from dim to bright.
- Other electrical systems, such as power windows, power locks, air conditioning, radio, GPS, etc., will start to act up.
- Bearings in the engine may fail, creating unusual rattles.
- The engine will stall as there is not enough power in the spark plugs to start the engine or to keep it running.
- The battery will lose its charge because the alternator can’t keep it charged.
Wondering how often should an alternator be replaced? Call our ASE Certified Technicians at Gary’s Quality Automotive for more information about car starters, alternators, and batteries and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop proudly serves vehicle owners in Grand Island, NE, Wood River, NE, and Doniphan, NE.
