When it comes to your car's electronics, the only component more important than the battery is the alternator. While you're driving, the alternator generates the voltage that keeps the battery and every electronic accessory functioning. If you ever notice the following signs of alternator trouble, head to your local Ford dealer right away for alternator repair. Flickering Headlights When an alternator begins to fail, the voltage it delivers often becomes erratic, suddenly rising and falling in power. This can cause your headlights to dim one minute and then brighten the next, or even start flickering more rapidly. more Faltering Electronics With a dying alternator, your car's other electronics will also begin to misbehave. Your instrument panel's dials may malfunction. Your stereo, air conditioner, power windows, and phone charger may fade in strength. Modern cars often have a prioritization system installed, which keeps more important electronic components working for longer in the event of a failure in the electrical supply. This means your stereo and phone charger are likely to fail before your headlights and dashboard dials. Dead Car Battery While the engine's running, the alternator uses the engine's electrical power to generate voltage and recharge the battery. Then, when the engine's turned off, the storage of electricity in the battery can be used to operate various electrical features and also start your car. If your battery is dead one morning, it may mean that a bad alternator failed to recharge it during your last drive. One way to test this is to jump-start your car, after which a healthy alternator will kick into action and keep the engine running. If your alternator is faulty, the engine will die again soon after a jump-start. Growling Sounds The serpentine belt is used to transfer power from the engine's crankshaft to the alternator. This tough rubber belt can occasionally loosen or slip out of place. When this happens, you may hear strange growling or whining sounds from the engine compartment. Burning Rubber Smell A loosened serpentine belt may also start to burn because of the extra friction, in which case, you may smell a burning rubber smell inside the cabin. It's also possible for wires to fray inside a malfunctioning alternator, which might also create a burning rubber smell. Have Your Ford Dealer Test Your Electronics Twice a Year It's a good idea to have a qualified technician check your car's electronics, including the alternator, at least twice a year. With this kind of preventative maintenance, you're far more likely to catch problems in the alternator, battery, wiring, or any of your car's other electronic systems early on and avoid getting into a difficult situation because of a sudden fault on the road. Have your alternator inspected and repaired today at Crown Ford Lynbrook. As one of the region's premium dealerships, we offer a top-notch range of new and pre-owned Ford vehicles, excellent vehicle maintenance services, and personalized customer service.
