If you’re like most car owners, you don’t think much about whether your car will turn on or not. You just expect that it will do so when you need it to. But if there’s a problem with your car’s alternator, you may have a problem with your hands. Cary’s Auto Service has some information that can help.
Accessories Are Acting Odd
When you plug something into the accessory outlet in your car, you expect it to function. But if your car’s alternator is not working properly, that means that it may not have the power to offer up to anything that isn’t part of the car. Those accessories might not turn on at all, or if they do, they might act differently than you expect.
You’ve Got a Hot Electrical Smell
Electrical smells are always bad news. If you’ve never smelled hot electrical smells, it’s very chemical and might remind you of melted plastic. Often what’s happening is that the insulation around wiring is melting, releasing that chemical smell. Don’t ignore these smells because they’re letting you know that there’s a problem.
The Battery Is Having Trouble
Your car’s battery is part of the electrical system along with the alternator and all the wiring. The alternator is responsible for creating electricity and sending some of that power back to the battery as the car runs. That’s important because the battery’s job is to give your car the power it needs to start up the engine, including the alternator. If the battery is failing, it’s highly likely that the alternator is, too.
You’ve Got an ALT, GEN, or BAT Light on the Dash
Dashboard warning lights are there to give you crucial information like whether there’s a problem somewhere in your car’s electrical system. Some cars have an ALT or GEN light to indicate problems with the alternator. But many cars only have a BAT light or an image of a battery that lights up when there’s trouble. Double-check your car’s owner’s manual so that you know what light you should watch for in case of electrical trouble. When you do see that light, it’s urgent to figure out what’s going on as soon as possible, because you might not have much time before the car doesn’t have the ability to turn on.
Don’t ignore alternator issues. Contact us at Cary’s Auto Service in Tempe, AZ and we can use our expert diagnostic skills to determine what’s happening.