Your car’s alternator plays a vital role in its operation by converting energy produced by the engine into electricity. This electrical energy is what charges your car’s battery so that you can start it and it also powers all other electrical components, including lights and power windows. Over time, like all other car components, an alternator can break down. Warning signs that your alternator is going bad can include:

• Your headlights become dimmer or briefly go out when you use another electrical component. An alternator should be able to power all of these components effortlessly without an impact on the brightness of your headlights.
• Hearing strange grinding or shrieking noises from your engine could be the result of alternator issues. Bring your vehicle to a mechanic to verify the cause of the sounds.
• Electrical components of your car, such as the radio or power windows, stop working. This could be an issue with the individual components but, if more than one stops working, it’s probably an alternator issue.
• Your battery becomes unable to hold a charge and needs frequent jump starts. This could be the result of a failing battery but, if your battery is relatively new, it’s more likely a problem with the alternator.
• A warning light illuminates on your dashboard indicating a problem with the alternator. Depending on the make and model of your car, this light may be shaped like a battery or it may read “ALT” or “GEN.”

If you’ve been experiencing problems with your vehicle’s alternator, contact Arvu Auto today to schedule an appointment for alternator repairs in the West Minneapolis metro!