The reason why a bad alternator can stall your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s engine is that it sends power to the spark plugs in order for them to fire. If the spark plugs are not firing because they do not have enough power, your engine will misfire and stall. In severe cases, you may not be able to get the engine started after it has stalled. This is just one sign that you have a bad alternator.
Dead Battery
Another sign is a dead battery. The alternator produces power so that it can recharge the battery while the battery discharges. This ensures that you always have a charged battery under the hood. If the alternator is malfunctioning, it may allow the battery to discharge completely. When this happens, you will be unable to get your vehicle started unless you jump-start the battery.
Dim Headlights
Generally, the alternator produces between 13 volts and 14.5 volts of electricity. If the alternator cannot produce 13 volts of electricity, you may start to notice that your headlights are dimmer than they normally are. The same will be true with your taillights and interior lights. If the alternator is producing too much voltage, everything will be much brighter than it normally is.
Electrical Problems
Your vehicle may also start to experience electrical problems. The reason why is that there is no electricity without the alternator. If the alternator is not producing enough electricity, there will be a slowdown in the electrical system. If the alternator is producing too much electricity, it will overheat the electrical system and cause electrical surges that may blow out fuses.
Slow Accessories
If there is a slowdown in the electrical system, your vehicle’s power accessories are also going to slow down. In addition, the power accessories can start to malfunction or stop working. For example, your radio may turn off if it is not getting enough power from the alternator. You may also end up having difficulties getting the entertainment system or the navigation system to work.
Warning Light
Finally, your vehicle’s main computer chip may turn on a dashboard warning light if the alternator is malfunctioning. In most cases, this light is the battery-shaped light. This light will also turn on if there is a problem with the battery or another problem with the electrical system.
We would be happy to help. Call our auto service shop today to schedule an appointment for your automobile if the alternator is giving you problems.