It’s a true joy to go out and fire up your European auto, right? Except when your car doesn’t start, or when it lets you know that something is wrong. Jackson Auto Repair understands how scary it can be when your car is doing unexpected things. Here’s what you need to know about your alternator and what might be happening if it is experiencing trouble.
The Battery Is Dead
When you first start to notice issues with the electrical system, you might think battery and that’s not completely off base. If you find that your battery is dead, don’t stop there. The battery gets charge pushed back to it from the alternator, and if you put a brand-new battery in your European car and the problem is actually the alternator, you’re going to kill another battery.
There Are Some Odd Smells and Sounds
You might not think that smells and sounds are tied to your alternator, but you’d be surprised. If pulleys, bearings, or belts are going bad, you might hear some squeaking or squealing sounds. That’s especially true when the alternator is under strain, like when you crank the AC up completely. If you’re smelling something hot, you might have a problem with your alternator overheating, which can also be due to a belt or bearing going bad.
Lights and Other Components Aren’t Working
Your alternator is what helps your European car to keep the lights on, so to speak. When it isn’t working the way that it’s supposed to be working, you’ve probably got some wonky component issues happening. Your radio might turn on, your lights might be too dim, and some of your auxiliary components, like a GPS, might not function at all.
You’ve Got a Dashboard Warning Light
Dashboard warning lights can be intimidating when they light up. With alternator issues, though, you might not have a dedicated alternator light. What you might see instead is the battery light or even a check engine light in some cases. It’s always important that you investigate those dashboard warning lights, because they are your European car’s way of communicating to you that something isn’t right and needs attention.
Worried about your alternator or your battery? Give us a call at Jackson Auto Repair in Jackson, TN. We can perform thorough diagnostic testing that helps us to determine exactly what’s happening with both your alternator and your battery.