The alternator is the center point of your electrical charging system. It generates the electrical power your car’s systems need. Alternators are strong and built to last, but they will eventually wear out. If your alternator is failing, your Honda dealer can perform an alternator repair for you. These are a few signs your alternator could be in trouble.
Dim Lights
Sometimes dim headlights mean that you need to get the bulbs changed. They can also be a sign that your alternator is failing. If you see that your dash and cabin lights are also dim, your alternator is probably weak. An alternator will work hard for years, but it will eventually slow down, and this causes problems for your electrical system.
Your car’s demands for electricity are relatively fixed, and an alternator that produces less power will lead to electrical issues. The lack of power means that your car’s computer must allocate available energy as efficiently as possible. Dim lights are supplied just enough electricity to function while saving electricity for other components. We’ll test your alternator and replace it with a new one if it’s failing.
Starting Difficulties
The battery provides the electrical power to start your engine. The charge that powers the starter uses a large part of your battery’s power. This power has to be replaced, and recharging the battery is one of the alternator’s jobs. A healthy alternator can easily recharge your battery, maintain the electrical systems, and have surplus power.
When your alternator gets older, its power generation ability drops. As the alternator wears out, it may not be able to fully recharge your battery. This means that each time your battery is used, it will get weaker due to a lack of recharging. If you have a relatively new battery struggling to start your engine, the most likely cause is a worn alternator. Our technicians at Fischer Honda will test the alternator and replace it if needed.
Grinding Noises
If you’re hearing weird grinding noises from your engine, you may have a damaged alternator. These strange noises may be a sign that one of the alternator bearings has failed. Your alternator has several bearings which allow the rotor to turn and create electricity. Over time, these bearings can wear out. A damaged alternator bearing will produce grinding noises until it’s replaced.
If one of the bearings has failed, the other bearings could also be in danger of failing. Without bearings, your alternator won’t work. We can check the bearings and replace them. If you’ve driven for a while with bad bearings, the alternator may be damaged, and we may need to replace it.
If your alternator shows signs of wear, call us at Fischer Honda, your local car dealership in Ypsilanti, MI.
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