Your alternator is one of the most important components of your vehicle. As it goes bad, your vehicle may still start but shut off after only being on for a few minutes. When it is in complete disrepair, your vehicle will not start at all. Fortunately, there are several warning signs that your alternator is going bad so you can bring your Chevrolet to your Medford, OR Chevrolet dealer for an alternator repair. Today, we’re looking at some of the most common signs.
Malfunctioning Accessories
One of the most common signs that your alternator is going bad is malfunctioning accessories. For example, you may notice that your seat warmer no longer functions or your windows take far longer to roll down or up than normal. Also, you may notice your radio randomly cuts off and may or may not come back on at some point during your commute.
Malfunctioning Headlights
It is also common for headlights to malfunction when your alternator is going bad. Typically, your headlights will dim as you drive. However, your alternator is responsible for voltage regulation. As a result, you may notice that your headlights become much brighter than they should be while other electronic components of your car, like your radio, lose power. Also, it is possible to experience flickering headlights.
Battery Warning Light
If you see your battery warning light come on, it is very important to bring your vehicle in for testing right away. While the battery warning light may come on when there is something wrong with your battery, there are several other reasons your battery warning light may come on. For instance, your battery warning light can be an indicator that something is wrong with any part of your Chevrolet’s electrical system, including the alternator.
Specifically, the battery warning light is often an indicator that the alternator is operating at an inappropriate voltage. Most alternators operate at a voltage of 13 to 14.5. When your alternator is operating at a much higher or lower voltage, your dashboard will alert you by activating the battery warning light.
Difficulty Starting
Difficulty starting is another common sign of a bad alternator that is often mistaken for a sign of a bad battery. You may try to start your car after nine hours of work and discover that your battery is dead and you need a jump to get home. However, your battery may be in perfect working condition. Sometimes, your battery doesn’t die because it can’t hold a charge. Sometimes, it dies because the alternator doesn’t charge it.
There are several warning signs of a dying alternator repair, including malfunctioning accessories and headlights, seeing the battery warning light on your dash, and having trouble starting your car. If you’ve noticed any of the mentioned signs of a dying alternator, schedule a service appointment with one of our certified Chevrolet technicians at Airport Chevrolet GMC.
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