The alternator is one of your car's most important components. Modern cars have a huge variety of devices and accessories that require electricity, and the alternator generated this electricity. An alternator is tough and designed to last, but it can still suffer wear. It can even be damaged by the actions of other failing components. As your Ford dealer, we'd like you to know some of the signs that you're going to need an alternator repair.
3 Signs You Need an Alternator Repair at Your Ford Dealer
A Damaged Battery
One of the tasks of your alternator is to ensure that your battery is always fully charged. Once your car engine is running, your alternator begins recharging your battery. A healthy battery and alternator will work together perfectly to keep your Ford running just like it should. If the battery starts to fail, however, your alternator can get damaged, too.
As a battery wears out, it becomes more difficult to charge, and its maximum charging capacity will also decline. Your alternator will try and charge the battery, and it should receive a confirmation that the charge was received and stored in the battery. A worn battery won't supply this confirmation, and your alternator will work harder to try and recharge the battery. Your alternator will take extra strain, and it can also start to fail.
Damaged Wiring
The power produced by the alternator has to reach the components that need it. Wires and cables snake through your engine to carry this power to each component. The wires are designed to work in the hot, unforgiving conditions of your engine. Unfortunately, like wiring anywhere, it can get damaged. Broken or damaged wiring will cause problems for your electrical system.
The obvious sign of a broken wire is the failure of the component that it's connected. In an attempt to restore power to the component, the alternator will supply even more power to overcome the problem. Damaged wiring doesn't transmit electricity, but as more power flows through it, the wiring will heat up. The hot wiring can start to burn, and you'll smell a burning plastic smell coming from the engine.
Dim Then Bright Lights
When the alternator starts to wear out, it will slow down and produce less power. This problem isn't immediately noticeable, as your alternator produces more power than is required. When the alternator can't produce enough power, your car's computer will have to decide on how the limited power needs to be divided. Your computer will usually supply just enough power for the component to work.
When you switch on your headlights, the light will seem very dim. After a few minutes, the lights will suddenly become brighter than they should be. The reason for this is that additional power has become available from a component that has been switched off. The extra power is shifted to the lights, and this extra juice will make the lights far brighter.
An alternator always shows some signs that it's failing. If you suspect you have an alternator problem, call us at Ken Ganley Ford.
