It’s fun to learn new things, and we are going to tell you everything you need to know about your car, truck, or utility vehicle’s alternator. This part is part of the electrical system. It is the heart of the system. It generates voltage between 13 volts and 14.5 volts that your vehicle’s electrical system uses to power all of the electrical components and accessories.
The Function of the Alternator
Generating electricity is the function of the alternator. Your vehicle needs electricity in order for the lights to work and for the power accessories to work. Your vehicle also needs electricity to keep the battery charged. If your car did not have an alternator, there would be no electricity production. Consequently, your battery would discharge until it is dead and you would not be able to get your vehicle started. As we said above, the alternator is the heart of the electrical system.
How the Alternator Produces Electricity
The alternator produces energy using magnets and a rotor shaft. These magnets and the rotor shaft are spun around a coil to create an electrical current. The alternator is attached to the serpentine belt so it can spin a pulley that spins the magnets and rotor shaft. The current is routed through a rectifier to change it from AC to DC. This is the current type your electrical system needs. As we mentioned above, the electricity is then routed through the electrical system to the battery and components.
How Long an Alternator Will Last
Knowing how long an alternator lasts is useful because you can have it changed when your vehicle reaches the specific milestones. You can also wait until the alternator goes bad if you prefer. The milestones at which an alternator is not to malfunction is 100,000 miles or 10 years. If you have already hit either milestone, it’s probable that you will need to replace the alternator in the near future.
Signs the Alternator Is Going Bad
Signs that the alternator is going bad include problems with your vehicle’s lights, difficulty starting the automobile, a frequent dead battery, problems with the power accessories, frequent engine stalling, growling noises, burning electrical odors, and an illuminated battery light. All of these things happen when the alternator malfunctions and produces too little or too much electricity.
We would be happy to replace your old alternator with a new one if the old one has gone bad. Call our shop today to schedule an auto service appointment for your vehicle.
