An alternator is a very underappreciated component. The battery gets most of the glory for the alternator’s work. A battery is essential to start your engine, but once your engine is running, the alternator takes over and supplies the electrical power in your car. Additionally, the alternator supplies the power to recharge the battery. The alternator can fail, and as your Chevy dealer, we can replace it. We’ve listed some of the signs that you need an alternator repair.
Need an Alternator Repair? Visit Your Redding Chevy Dealer
Random Electrical Glitches
A sunroof that jams open or a CD player that won’t operate may just be the failure of that component or the signs of a damaged alternator. All electrical components can fail at some time and a CD player that “eats” CDs may have just broken. If you experience several different glitches, however, this is a sign that there is a problem with the electrical system, and that usually means the alternator is failing.
Your alternator supplies all the power to your car’s electrical systems. When an alternator starts to wear out, it cannot supply enough power for all the components. The constant power demand and the reduced power supply cause random electrical problems. We advise scheduling an appointment with our service department so our technicians can identify the source of the problem and fix it.
Strange Sounds From Your Engine
As a driver, strange sounds from your engine are always a cause for concern. An alternator that is failing can make odd sounds like growling, or rattling. Your alternator is driven by the serpentine belt that links your crankshaft to several different pulleys which drive components like the water pump and the power steering pump. The alternator pulley itself spins at high speed on a shaft that is supported by bearings.
If the alternator pulley shaft is not correctly aligned, or the bearings are worn, you will hear growling sounds. These sounds mean that your alternator needs serious attention. A rattling sound from the engine is rare but far more serious. The rattling sound means that the damage to the engine from a failed alternator has caused engine bearings to fail. This sound is rare because a damaged alternator would almost always have been replaced long before this stage.
Car Won’t Start
If your car won’t start, this could be a sign of a dead battery, a failed alternator, or even a worn starter. If the alternator fails, it will not be able to charge your battery and the battery will start to lose power. You can test for a failed alternator by jump-starting your car. Attach the jumper cables to your battery, and remove them as soon as your engine starts. If your engine dies immediately, your alternator has failed.
If you have an alternator problem in Redding, CA call our service department right away at Lithia Chevrolet of Redding. Our skilled technicians will examine your alternator, and quickly replace it if it has failed.
Photo courtesy of Chevrolet.
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