3 Signs Your Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep or RAM Needs an Alternator Repair

Recognizing 3 Indications for Alternator Repair

Dead Battery

A car battery will usually work efficiently for three to five years and then will need replacement. Almost every driver has felt the sinking feeling of trying to start their car and discovering the battery is dead. In many cases, the battery has failed due to age and wear. It is also possible that a battery can fail due to a weakening alternator.

The alternator’s primary function is to produce electricity, but it’s also responsible for recharging the battery. If the alternator is wearing out, it can’t produce the level of power that it once did. The reduced electricity supply will affect every system in your car. The failing alternator won’t recharge the battery sufficiently, and this causes the battery to fail. We can test the alternator and replace it if necessary.

Burning Wiring

If you look in your engine compartment, you’ll see numerous wires and cables. These wires and cables are only the tip of the iceberg in a vast network of wiring that spreads throughout your car. These wires and cables carry electricity from the alternator to every system that requires it. Each wire and cable is securely wrapped in heat-resistant insulation to protect it from damage.

The best protection in the world can’t prevent wiring from aging. Older wiring becomes brittle, and this can cause it to break. A break in a wire automatically cuts off power to the electrical systems it’s connected to. Electricity will continue to flow down a broken wire, and this causes the wire to heat up and its protective insulation can start burning. If you smell burning insulation, we will trace the affected wiring and replace it to fix this problem.

Damaged Bearings

An alternator spins at high speed to produce magnetic energy, which is refined into DC for your car’s electrical system. The alternator’s fast spinning action is possible due to strong bearings that enable it to move at the desired speed. Constant high-speed movement can eventually cause a bearing to break.

If an alternator bearing breaks, you’ll hear strange grinding or clunking noises. A damaged bearing reduces the alternator’s speed, which slows down electrical production. The lack of electricity will lead to electrical glitches and slow-working systems and accessories. We’ll examine the bearings, and we can quickly replace any damaged ones.

If you experience any problem with your alternator, call our service department right away at Coughlin CDJR.

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