Vehicles are an essential part of daily life, especially if you live rurally. No matter how good the public transport system is, it’s unlikely to provide the convenience of running your own vehicle.
However, if you run a vehicle then you know there is a constant risk of breakdowns and issues. These things happen even if you take good care of your vehicle and have it serviced regularly by an automotive electrician.
One of the most common issues is with the alternator. Whether you want to fix it yourself or not, it’s a good idea to understand what the alternator is and what it does.
What the Alternator Is for
An alternator is effectively a magnet and a coil of copper wiring. This allows the alternator to create and transmit electrical current. It doesn’t do anything while the car is switched off and you’ll need a charged battery to start the vehicle. But, once the engine is running it will power the alternator.
This allows it to generate electricity which is used in the vehicle. You can’t use the battery for this as it would utilize the charge, potentially fully discharging the battery on a long trip and certainly making it more difficult to start the car.
The electricity generated by the alternator is used in almost all the electronic systems within the vehicle. This includes lights, windscreen wipers, electric windows, and an array of functions under the bonnet.
At the same time, some of the charge created by the alternator is directed to the battery. In effect, it recharges the battery while you’re driving, ensuring it has enough charge to restart the vehicle when you need to.
In most cases, an alternator will last for as long as the car. But, this isn’t always true and it may fail, causing you starting and running issues.
How To Tell If your Alternator Isn’t Working Properly
When the alternator stops working properly it won’t produce the electrical current that it’s supposed to. One of the first signs of an issue is when the car struggles or fails to start. Most people assume this is a flat battery and that they need a new one.
The battery may be flat but this could be because it’s not being charged while driving. If this happens in conjunction with other issues, then the alternator is more likely to be at fault than the battery:
- Dim Lights
If your headlights come on and dim then they are probably not getting enough current, suggesting the alternator is struggling to create enough power. The lights can also flicker.
- Intermittent Electrical issues
When the alternator starts to fail the power supply becomes erratic. That means the car may function perfectly and then poorly at random intervals. But, the problem is most likely to appear first in your accessories. For example, the radio will stop working, indicating the alternator potentially has an issue.
- Strange Noises
Whining noises under the bonnet suggest belt or alternator issues, you may also smell burning as the alternator struggles to create the needed power.
It is worth noting that alternators are not usually repaired at the garage, they are just replaced, giving you a reliable vehicle again.
