5 Signs Your Alternator Needs Service
Staying on top of maintenance for your vehicle is an important part of car ownership, and we want to make sure you have the information you need to keep your car in top shape.
So if you notice any of these warning signs, you may need to visit your Porsche Center and ask about alternator repair.
5 Reasons to Ask Your Porsche Center about Alternator Repair
Battery Warning Light
Your battery warning light isn’t exclusively tied to your car’s battery. It’s an indicator of the health of your car’s entire electric system. If your warning light comes on, and you notice any of these other signs, you may want to take a close look at your alternator.
Dim Lights
If your headlights struggle to illuminate the road at night, it might be time to fix or replace your alternator. A faulty alternator won’t be able to supply enough power to your car to brighten those bulbs to their full potential.
Malfunction Electronics
Does it take forever to get your windows to roll down? Is your radio cutting off in the middle of your favorite song? If your alternator is failing, most cars will start pulling power from the less vital operations of the vehicle. This measure is taken to keep the battery going long enough for you to reach your destination safely.
Difficulty Starting
Is your car struggling to start? Your alternator is a plausible offender. Your car’s engine needs a substantial surge of power to get everything running, and a weak or dying alternator will have trouble providing that kind of juice to the battery.
If you’re turning the key and getting nothing but a clicking sound, your battery has likely died. This may not be because of the battery, though. One way to differentiate between a bad battery and a failing alternator is to jump the car off. If it dies again soon after, you can look to your alternator as the probable cause.
Stalling or Dying
A car with a failing alternator may stall or die outright while idling. This can be potentially dangerous if it happens while you’re on the road, such as at a red light or stop sign. If you’re experiencing this particular symptom, it is imperative that you take your vehicle to be serviced as soon as possible.
Other Signs
A few less common signs it may be time to have your alternator serviced include a burning smell, a whining or growling noise, or overly bright lights. These signs are usually caused by an alternator pushing out too much power.
If any of these things sound like what you’ve been experiencing with your car, visit us at Porsche Stevens Creek in Santa Clara, CA today. We’ll get you fixed up and back on the road.