How to Deal with an Alternator Problem

Posted: Jun 17, 2014
Author: Country Town Tire & Auto Service Center

If your car has an alternator problem, it is possible you won’t even know it right off the bat. A lot of people confuse alternator problems with having a battery problem or a starter problem. Many of the symptoms are the same, such as the lights being dimmer than usual or the engine having a hard time starting. So here are some situations that will help you determine if you need a battery replacement, or if your alternator is really the problem.

First off, most cars have an alternator light that will warn you if there is a problem. If you don’t see a light, try watching for other signs. For example:  If your car is dead, and you jump-start the battery, but then it dies on you again, the problem probably lies with the alternator. If you are managing to drive your car around, but the battery light comes on when you know the battery does not have a problem, it could be warning you in place of an alternator light. And although the car is running now, if the alternator isn’t working, then you are draining the battery of any charge it has and it, too, will stop working very soon. It would be wise to drive it right to the mechanic while it’s still running.

As the alternator supplies the electrical systems with power and charges your battery, you will not get far, if anywhere, once it has a problem. Getting it into an auto shop and having an engine diagnostics test done on it right away is the only option if you want to keep driving your car.

For replacement or service on your alternator in Hickory NC, visit us at Country Town Tire and Auto Service Center. We are a full-service auto shop with ASE-qualified mechanics. Give us a call today.