Wouldn’t it be great if your car gave you some warning before the alternator went kaput? Believe it or not, your car probably has given you some warnings. The trouble is that they’re not always easy to recognize. Sullivan’s Auto Service & Tire Pros is here with some more information for you.
Accessories Are Having Trouble Working
When you plug stuff into the accessory jack in your car, you expect it to work. If it doesn’t, or if it’s acting up, you might automatically think that the problem is with the device you’re plugging in. That’s normal, but it might not be completely accurate. If there’s something going wrong with the alternator, that can mean that some accessories don’t work right when you try to get power to them.
You’re Hearing Weird Sounds When You Turn Things On
Maybe things are turning on, but you start to hear some whining noises or other sounds when you turn more stuff on. What’s happening is that with every new device you turn on or plug in, you’re putting a larger load on the alternator. Those sounds you’re hearing are it trying to keep up with the power output you’re trying to make it give you.
The Battery Seems to Be Having Trouble
Eventually, the battery is going to start having trouble, too. That’s because part of the alternator’s job is to trickle power back to the battery. That’s only fair, because the battery gave a lot of power to start the car and the alternator up. But if the alternator is failing, that’s going to rob the battery of power and eventually kill it altogether.
You’ve Got Some Dashboard Warning Lights On
Sometimes you might be lucky enough to get advance warning that you’ve got some electrical trouble brewing. You might see the battery light or another type of warning light that lets you know that the alternator is not okay. If you do happen to see a warning light, that’s a sign you cannot ignore. If you don’t take action right then, you might not have a lot of time before the whole thing does fail finally.
Sullivan’s Auto Service & Tire Pros in Seaside, CA can help you with all your electrical system needs. Contact us today and we’ll help you to figure out what’s going on with your alternator or if there’s a deeper issue. Our diagnostic tools and experienced technicians are here for you and your car.
