Your car’s alternator is responsible for keeping the battery charged as you put on mile after mile. Without the alternator, your vehicle can’t use electronic accessories like the headlights or radio. A failing alternator will eventually lead to a dead battery, which means your car won’t be going anywhere except to the nearest mechanic. That’s why it’s important to spot alternator problems before they get worse. Learn how to spot issues early with these warning signs that your car’s alternator is dying.

Malfunctioning Accessories

Your vehicle’s alternator powers all the electronic accessories inside your car. A failing alternator can’t provide consistent power, which leads to various malfunctions that you’re certain to notice. Dim or overly bright headlights are a major indicator of inconsistent power from a damaged alternator. Other malfunctioning accessories might include slower power windows, seat warmers that don’t work as well, or problems with your speedometer and other instruments on the dashboard.

Dead Battery

If your car’s battery dies, you might just assume the problem is with the battery. However, a dead battery can also be one of the warning signs that your car’s alternator is dying. How do you tell the difference between the two issues? Jump-start your car. If the vehicle keeps running, the problem is the battery itself. If the battery dies again shortly after, it means your alternator isn’t getting enough power to your battery.

Stalling or Difficulty Starting

Gasoline allows your engine to run, but you need the alternator to get it going. Your vehicle’s alternator powers the spark plugs, which in turn ignite the engine to start your car. A failing alternator won’t deliver enough power to the spark plugs, which can lead to problems when starting your engine. Insufficient power to the spark plugs also makes it harder to keep your engine running and might cause your car to stall.

The longer you ignore a malfunctioning alternator, the harder and harder it gets to keep your engine running. If you notice something’s wrong, you need to address the problem quickly. That’s why we have all the car parts you need available at Auto Value Store. Find a quick and convenient replacement when you order an alternator online from Auto Value Store.