Have you notice your car lights flickering lately? It’s not just your imagination. If either or both of your interior or exterior lights are dim or flickering, it’s likely a sign of problems with your alternator.
Without the alternator functioning properly your vehicle cannot produce enough voltage to keep the battery charged while you are operating your vehicle. So, if you’ve noticed flickering or dim lights, then it’s probably time to replace your alternator at our Vancouver auto repair shop.
Other Alternator Issues to Look for
In addition to flickering lights, there are other signs to be aware of that your alternator is on the fritz. Here are a few other things to look for.
Stalling Vehicle – if your vehicle continues to stall, the alternator is likely to blame. If it can’t send enough power to the spark plugs, they will misfire, and your car will stall. A new alternator is the only solution.
Other Accessory Issues – your lights aren’t the only accessory affected by a bad alternator. The alternator also helps power other accessories like the seats and windows, and your navigation or entertainment systems. If these aren’t acting right, then your alternator is probably the reason.
Dead Battery or Difficulty Starting – a bad alternator can cause your battery to drain, which means you won’t be able to start your vehicle. So, if your battery is dead, you should also check the alternator to make sure it’s not what killed your battery, especially if your battery is newer.
Burning Smell – when your alternator is bad it might produce too much voltage, which can cause your vehicle’s wiring to overheat. When that happens, you will likely smell something burning, like plastic or rubber.
Weird Noises – a bad alternator can also cause strange sounds from under the hood, including a growling sound. This noise comes from the alternator’s internal parts when it tries to produce voltage. Additionally, you might hear a whining sound from the alternator belt if it gets loose. Either way, strange sounds mean trouble is lurking.
Warning Light – your dashboard has several warning lights, and one of them could indicate an issue with the alternator. The light could be a battery-shaped graphic, or it might say ALT. Whatever the light is, you shouldn’t ignore it.
Stop Flickering Lights with a New Alternator
Flickering lights can be annoying, but they are likely also a sign that something is wrong with your alternator. If your alternator is going bad, you shouldn’t wait around to get it fixed or replaced. If it dies completely then you could end up somewhere stuck on the side of road. So, don’t let a faulty alternator leave you stranded.
Please come and see us at Hoesly Automotive if your vehicle is having alternator issues. Our downtown Vancouver auto repair shop will take care of you right. If your lights are flickering or you have noticed any of these other issues, then please contact us to so we can properly diagnose the problem and take care of it.
And if you need any other service or repair, then please contact Hoesly Eco Automotive today. You can reach us by phone at 360-695-5871 or click here to set up an appointment online. Get your next exhaust service at Hoesly Eco Automotive.
We are your trusted auto repair shop for numerous makes and models, including:
Mazda auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Subaru auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Toyota auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Nissan auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Hybrid auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Chevy auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Ford auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Honda auto repair in Vancouver, WA
Chrysler auto repair in Vancouver, WA