Battery Light And Brake Light On At Same Time Hyundai? 300 Most Correct Answers

If you’ve heard the term “alternator” before, you probably know that it’s an essential part of your vehicle. But what exactly does an alternator do? Simply put, your alternator keeps your car battery charged so you can turn on your car and use electronic accessories like your headlights and radio.

If you are having alternator problems, you may find that your car will not start or stay on for more than a few minutes. Before that happens, however, you’ll likely encounter one or more of these seven signs of a failed alternator.

7 signs of a bad alternator

1. Dim or excessively bright light

When an alternator fails, it delivers inconsistent voltage to your electronic accessories. Typically, these are under-performing or under-performing devices, such as headlights that are too weak or extremely bright. You may also experience flickering lights or lights that change erratically from light to dark and vice versa.

2. Battery empty

Sometimes a dead battery is just a dead battery – it has reached the end of its life after a few years of use – or maybe you accidentally left your headlights on all night. In other cases, however, a dead battery can be a sign that your alternator is not working properly.

A bad alternator will not adequately charge the battery when the engine is running, causing the charge to drain faster than usual. One way to test if the problem is battery or alternator related is to start the car. If you jump start your car and it keeps running, your battery may need replacing soon. However, if you start the car and it dies shortly after, it may mean your alternator is not delivering enough power to the battery.

3. Slow or faulty accessories

An alternator that isn’t providing enough power to your car’s electronics often results in slow or non-functioning accessories. If you notice that your windows are taking longer than usual to go up or down, or if your heated seats feel “off,” or even if your speedometer and other gauges start acting up, you may have an alternator problem .

Many modern vehicles also have a priority list of devices programmed into the car that tells the onboard computer where to cut power first if the alternator isn’t providing enough power. That way, if you’re driving with a failed alternator, you’ll lose power to your radio (or other unnecessary accessories) before you lose power to your headlights.

4. Problems starting or frequent stalls

As previously mentioned, having trouble starting your engine can mean your alternator is not charging the battery. This means that when you turn the key in the ignition, all you hear is a click instead of the purr of your engine.

However, if your car stalls frequently while driving, it may be a sign that the spark plugs are not getting enough current from the alternator to keep the engine running.

5. Growling or whining noises

Cars make a lot of strange noises – some are harmless while others can indicate serious mechanical problems. If you ever hear a growling or howling noise under the hood, you could have an alternator problem that should be checked by a professional as soon as possible.

This snarling or howling sound occurs when the belt that spins the alternator pulley is misaligned or rubbing against the side of the pulley. You can also hear this noise when the bearings that turn the rotor shaft go bad.

6. Smell of burning rubber or wires

A foul smell from burnt rubber or wiring could indicate that parts of your alternator are wearing out. Because the alternator drive belt is under constant tension and friction—and because it’s close to the hot engine—it can wear out over time and give off an unpleasant burnt rubber smell.

Similarly, if your alternator is overloaded or has frayed or damaged wires, you may smell a burning odor that is comparable to an electrical fire. A reworked alternator tries to force too much current through its wires, causing them to heat up unsafely. Damaged wires also create resistance to the flow of electricity, causing the wires to heat up and give off a foul odor.

7. Battery warning light on dashboard

When the battery warning light comes on on the dashboard, it is often mistaken for a battery-related problem. However, the low battery warning light indicates that there could be a problem with the entire electrical system in your car, including the alternator.

Alternators are designed to operate at a specific voltage, typically between 13 and 14.5 volts. If your alternator fails, its voltage can drop below capacity causing the low battery warning light to appear on your dashboard. Likewise, the battery light will also appear when the alternator exceeds its voltage limit, depending on how heavily it is being loaded.

Depending on the electrical loading from your car’s accessories (headlights, windshield wipers, radio, etc.) you may see the low battery warning light go on and off as the alternator fluctuates in and out of its designed voltage capacity. While this might seem like a minor annoyance, it’s better to take your car for an alternator check than to get stuck on the side of the road.

Alternator service with a smile

If you’re concerned about your car’s electrical system, it might be time to check the alternator. Firestone Complete Auto Care provides quality service aimed at keeping your battery and electrical system performing as it should! Book an appointment online or visit your local Firestone Complete Auto Care today for affordable, quality alternator services.

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Last updated on June 9, 2020

An alternator, sometimes referred to as a synchronous generator, is an important component of a vehicle’s charging system. Together with the battery, it ensures that your vehicle starts and continues to function as it should.

The symptoms of a bad alternator are noticeable quickly. Read on to learn what signs to look out for, how long alternators last, and the average replacement cost of an alternator.

Need help with a car problem NOW? Click here to chat online with a verified mechanic to answer your questions. to chat online with a verified mechanic to answer your questions.

What does an alternator do?

The alternator converts mechanical energy from the vehicle’s running engine into electrical energy that is used to power the vehicle’s electrical systems and charge the battery. It is so called because it produces alternating current (alternating current) that periodically reverses direction.

AC has been used in vehicles since the 1960s because it is more efficient and produces more voltage than direct current (direct current), which is unidirectional. Vehicle batteries and accessories use direct current, so the current from the alternator is converted to direct current as it exits the alternator.

Alternating current is generated in a copper coil when a magnetic field rotates with respect to the coil. This process is called electromagnetic induction.

How does an alternator work?

Warning: This section is getting pretty technical so don’t hesitate to skip to the This section is getting pretty technical so don’t hesitate to skip to the Bad Alternator Symptoms section.

In order to understand how the alternator does its job, it helps to first know how it is put together. via Gfycat This coconut-sized part usually sits near the top of the motor and consists of an outer casing that covers a stator and rotor. The housing is made of aluminum because it is not magnetizable and dissipates heat well.

The rotor has about 10 to 20 magnetic poles sticking out from a central driving machine like petals of a flower growing from a stem. These magnetic poles alternate north and south.

The rotor is driven by the spinning crankshaft of a running engine via a belt (usually the serpentine belt in modern vehicles) connected to the prime mover that spins the entire rotor (following the previous example, the flower spins). When the poles move in this way, a magnetic flux is created.

Brushes that create the magnetic field in each pole are located near the poles and send them a direct current through slip rings around the prime mover. This power comes from an external power source or from small generators connected to self-excited alternators.

The stator assembly consists of a system of copper coils. Most commonly, vehicles use a three-phase arrangement, in which there are three sets of copper coils that are 120 degrees out of phase with each other. That’s three times the power of a set. As the rotor rotates, the magnetic flux generated creates alternating current in the copper wire.

At the other end of the alternator, a diode (also known as a rectifier) ​​converts the AC power to DC power, which is in the format that can actually be used by the vehicle and stored in the battery.

Older vehicles have a voltage regulator between the alternator and the battery to ensure the battery is not under- or over-powered. This can damage the battery or other electrical components. In newer vehicles, the ECU takes over this task.

Because cooling is critical to the proper functioning of an alternator, there are vents on the front and rear to dissipate heat and cooling fans, also driven by the serpentine belt.

Several terminals on the back of the unit connect the alternator to the electrical system to turn it on and off and send data from sensors to the ECU.

6 symptoms of a bad alternator

Some sources of faults that affect the alternator are bad bearings (which allow the rotor to spin freely) which cause the rotor to seize, problems with the coils, and a bad belt (the rotor doesn’t spin properly, causing the alternator to fail). not powered). ).

Of course, the way the vehicle indicates a problem will vary depending on the root cause. If you have any of the following signs of a bad alternator, get it checked out quickly.

#1 – Vehicle will not start/Battery dead

The alternator does not provide the power to start the vehicle – that is actually the job of the battery. However, it charges the battery while the vehicle is driving. If the battery cannot be charged, the car will not start.

This is a tricky situation as the problem could be with the alternator or the battery itself, or even a host of other issues (poor starter, spark plugs, etc.).

See also: Bad Alternator vs Bad Battery

#2 – Squeaks, growls or other noises from the engine compartment

The alternator has rotating parts and if these are restricted in their movement (e.g. bad bearings) then strange noises will occur.

The seizing of the rotor causes a loud grinding noise. So make a note of the noises you hear and what happens to the car when you hear them to let your mechanic know. This information can provide good clues.

#3 – Faulty electrical systems

The electricity generated by the alternator also powers the vehicle’s accessories such as air conditioning, power windows, power door mirrors, stereo, heated seats, heated mirrors, headlights, entertainment, etc.

If you find that some or all of these aren’t working well or at all, especially when the vehicle is idling (since the RPM isn’t high enough to produce enough power for other issues), the alternator may be the culprit.

You may also notice faulty electrical gauges on your dashboard. Because these provide you with important information about safe driving conditions (e.g. speed) and the condition of your vehicle (e.g. oil temperature), it is imperative to stop driving as soon as possible and have the problem rectified.

#4 – Sudden warning lights on the dashboard

Also due to lack of adequate power, warning lights such as the battery light, “Check Engine”, “ALT” and/or other phantom lights may appear on the dashboard.

When the ECU runs out of power, the brain can’t think well (similar to how you might feel when you’re in dire need of a snack), so the wrong signals may be sent.

#5 – Engine stalls

In newer vehicles, the engine may even shut down completely when running, as electronic injectors require power to behave properly.

It is important that the right amount of fuel is shot into the combustion chamber at the right time to keep the engine running smoothly, so problems with this can prevent the combustion cycle from continuing successfully.

#6 – Smell of burning

In severe cases, rubbing parts or electrical problems in a bad alternator can cause a burning smell. Since you probably don’t want an underhood fire, stop driving and get things checked out.

Alternator replacement cost

The best places to order parts? See: 19 Best Online Auto Parts Stores

It is usually a better idea to completely replace the alternator if it is not working properly. While new ones can be expensive, they’re usually a better choice than remanufactured or rebuilt options. These probably won’t last as long as a new one as the mechanical parts are already miles in length.

If you can’t afford a new one, look for a remanufactured or rebuilt alternator at your local auto parts store. If a mechanic is going to do the job, make sure they give you a new alternator and aren’t trying to cut costs by using a remanufactured or rebuilt one.

Some vehicles with greater power requirements, such as B. Ambulances or vehicles with large, power-hungry stereo systems may require a high-performance alternator, which costs more.

The cost of the parts varies widely by vehicle type, but typically ranges from $150 to $300. More expensive vehicles typically require more expensive parts, so an OEM alternator for a newer Mercedes or Audi can easily cost you up to $1,000.

Labor costs also vary, as some alternators are easier to get to and therefore take less time, but expect to pay anywhere from $200-$600 for the labor.

Overall, expect to pay anywhere from $350 to $900 total for an alternator replacement. Having the job done by an independent mechanic is cheaper than going to a dealer in most cases.

Alternator repair costs

It is not always easy or possible to obtain alternator replacement parts to attempt to repair them yourself. Some vehicles actually offer alternator repair kits that cost anywhere from $20 to $50 and are available at a local auto parts store.

Check the service manual to see what is offered and what is possible for your specific alternator. You may also want to replace the belt at the same time as it has a much shorter lifespan and can cause problems with the alternator later if not now.

In general, replacing the alternator is almost always a better option than attempting a repair.

How long do alternators last?

As with anything mechanical, alternators have a lifespan that is determined by a number of conditions. Vehicle and engine type, driving conditions and frequency, and electrical load all affect alternator wear.

Typically an alternator lasts 80,000 to 120,000 miles or 5 to 8 years, although lifespans can be significantly longer or shorter.

A belt that is too tight, fluids spilling onto the alternator, and an old battery can all cause the alternator to fail prematurely.

Can you still drive with a defective alternator?

Technically yes, if it doesn’t stop your vehicle, but not for long. The alternator is not capable of keeping the battery charged so you will likely need to jump start or charge the battery externally every time you start the vehicle.

Neither is good for the battery and eventually it will stop holding a charge. So if you treat new batteries like candy and think they’re the problem, it would be wise to have the alternator checked.

See also: Common causes of an alternator not charging

How to test your alternator

To give you more information about the condition of your alternator, it is helpful to test it with a voltmeter (a function of a multimeter).

With the vehicle’s engine off, a good, fully charged battery should read 12.6 to 13.2 volts. With the vehicle revving around 1k, the voltage should still be between 12 and 14 volts. Then turn on the accessory in the power supply and rev up the engine – the voltage should not drop below 12 or above 14 volts.

If any of your numbers are out of range, the alternator may be bad. If the voltage is too high, the voltage will not be regulated, which can fry the battery. If the voltage is too low, the alternator cannot provide the battery with enough charge, which is not good for the battery.

Do you have a bad alternator or battery? (14 Symptoms + FAQs)

If your car engine won’t start or cuts out frequently, you clearly have a problem.

However, is it an alternator or battery problem?

The battery supplies high voltage to the starter motor, which then cranks the engine and fires the spark plug. As soon as the engine is running, the alternator takes over and recharges the battery – the circuit is closed.

As you can see, either the alternator or the battery could be contributing to a starting failure.

So which one is it?

To find out, let’s go through the symptoms of both a bad battery and a bad alternator. We’ve also included some FAQs to give you a better picture of these two components of the launch and charge system.

This article contains

Let’s start with the problems that a bad battery causes, since it’s more likely to fail than the alternator.

6 Signs It’s a Battery Problem

When your engine won’t start, the first culprit is usually the car battery.

However, before you get your jumper cables, you need to verify that the battery is actually causing the problem.

Here are signs to look out for:

1. Dim the dashboard or headlights

When the engine is off, the vehicle’s battery powers all electrical accessories.

Turn on the ignition and check your dashboard light icons.

Do they glow?

This is a quick way to see if the car battery is online before you start the engine.

Turn on your headlights.

Are they dark or don’t turn on at all?

A weak battery will result in dim dashboard lights or headlights.

A dead battery does not light up at all.

2. Slow engine start or no start

If your engine won’t start or takes a lot longer than usual, it’s time to grab the jumper cables and attempt a jump start.

If your engine starts and keeps running, but later won’t start again, you probably have a battery problem. If your vehicle stalls right away, it’s probably a bad alternator.

NOTE: Remember that the battery’s negative cable does not go to the dead battery’s negative terminal (this is a common mistake!). Clamp it to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car. Read more in our dead battery guide.

3. Battery corrosion

Corroded battery posts impede electrical energy and prevent the car battery from charging properly.

Extensive corrosion may require professional attention or even battery replacement.

Also look for corroded or loose battery cables.

4. It’s an old battery

The traditional car battery lasts around 3-5 years – the older the battery, the lower its ability to hold a charge. Older, faulty batteries also accumulate more corrosion from leaks, leading to an inability to charge.

5. There is a strange smell

A leaking lead-acid battery will release sulfuric gases that give off that weird rotten egg smell. If your car battery is leaking, replace it as soon as possible.

6. A warped battery

Battery swelling often occurs in extreme temperatures when internal fluids and parts expand. If your vehicle battery is swollen, warped, or distorted in any way, it will need to be replaced.

If you’re not facing any of these six problems, a bad alternator could be the culprit.

Tip: If troubleshooting is too tedious, just contact a mobile mechanic.

Let them find out while you have a cup of coffee!

However, to be safe, let’s also go through the signs of a bad alternator:

8 Signs of a Bad Alternator

If your battery seems fine, starting problems could be due to an alternator failure.

Here’s how this potential troublemaker describes his problems:

1. Problems with starting and frequent engine stalls

A defective alternator has problems charging the battery.

The car battery, in turn, does not have enough energy to start the vehicle.

If the engine stalls almost immediately after a jump start, your car’s alternator is likely the primary culprit. Frequent engine stalls while driving also indicate a problem with the alternator.

However, if your engine won’t start but the headlights work properly, a bad starter could be lurking under your hood.

2. Dimming or headlights that are too bright

Your headlights may dim or brighten unevenly and may even flicker. This could mean that the vehicle’s alternator is having trouble delivering consistent power.

One way to check is to spin the engine.

If your headlights get brighter at a higher RPM and then get dimmer when you take your foot off the pedal, your car alternator is definitely having trouble.

3. Dimming the interior lighting

If your interior lights and dashboard lights gradually dim while the engine is running, this indicates insufficient output from a failed alternator.

4. A dead battery

This can be a bit confusing as it indicates a battery problem.

However, a dead car battery can also be a symptom of problems starting the vehicle – it is not always the cause.

Remember that a bad alternator will not charge the vehicle’s battery, so the next time you try to start it you will end up with a dead battery.

5. Electrical accessory malfunction

If your car’s alternator fails, it’s likely to upset any electrical system with inconsistent alternator performance.

An electrical problem like weird noises coming from your stereo, a slow rolling power window, or speedometer messing up can all stem from a bad alternator.

Vehicle computers often have a priority list of where power is going, usually from a safety perspective. So, if the alternator fails, the first thing you can lose is power to the stereo in front of the headlights.

6. Growling or squeaking noises

Growls or squeaks from your vehicle are never a good sign.

If the squeaking gets louder when the heating or sound system is switched on, there could very well be a dilapidated alternator. These noises could also be caused by a misaligned alternator belt rubbing against the alternator pulley.

Another way to pinpoint a bad alternator is to turn the AM radio down to low with no music and rev the engine. A resulting howling or fuzzy noise could indicate an alternator problem.

7. There is a burning smell

The alternator belt is under constant tension and friction. As it wears out, it can produce a burning smell because it is close to the hot engine.

A reworked alternator or one with damaged wiring can also emit a burnt smell. Frayed wires create electrical resistance and heat up when the alternator passes current through them.

8. The dashboard warning lights will illuminate

An illuminated battery light signals that something is wrong with your charging system. On some cars this could be indicated by the Check Engine light.

You may notice the dashboard lights turning on and off as different accessories are used. This happens because the alternator struggles to power changing loads.

To sum up:

Troubleshooting vehicle starting problems is not always easy.

What may seem like a simple dead battery issue could have a deeper cause. And because many of these battery and alternator symptoms overlap, it can be difficult to pinpoint the root cause of the problem.

Is there an easier way to solve the alternator or battery issue?

A simple solution to alternator or battery problems

The best way to fix your alternator or battery problems is to have a professional take a thorough look at them. They’ll even help you find a new alternator or battery (if needed)!

Who can you reach out to?

Luckily, RepairSmith is super easy to get to.

RepairSmith is a convenient mobile vehicle maintenance and repair solution.

They offer the following:

Battery repairs and replacements can be done right in your driveway

Expert, ASE-certified technicians perform vehicle inspection and maintenance

Online booking is convenient and easy

Competitive pricing up front

All maintenance and repair work is carried out with high-quality equipment and spare parts

RepairSmith offers a 12-month | 12,000 mile guarantee on all repairs

Complete this online form to receive a fast and accurate estimate for your starting and charging repairs.

Now that you have a better idea of ​​whether it’s your car’s alternator or battery that’s causing engine problems, let’s cover some common questions.

7 FAQs about alternators and batteries

Here are a few questions (and their answers) about these charging system components:

1. How urgent is an alternator or battery replacement?

A bad battery doesn’t damage the alternator, but a bad alternator can damage a battery.

The car battery is simply not designed to provide electrical energy over a long period of time, so both components must function optimally.

Luckily, traditional lead-acid batteries are comparatively cheap, typically costing around $50 to $120. Replacing an alternator can cost a little more, ranging from $500 to $1000, including labor.

You may be able to repair the alternator instead of replacing it, and a rebuilt alternator may be a little less expensive. However, like a new alternator, it depends on the make and model of your car.

2. How do I check alternator or battery performance?

Use a voltmeter or multimeter and connect the cables to the battery posts.

With the engine off, a healthy battery voltage should drop to around 12.6V.

With the engine running, the battery voltage should rise to 13.5V-14.4V.

Turn on the stereo, air conditioning, and headlights.

A battery voltage of around 13.5V indicates good alternator performance.

Your vehicle may also have a meter that measures volts or amps, which can also help you determine your alternator or battery performance.

3. Can I drive with a defective alternator?

Yes, although it is not advisable.

Your car battery will not charge properly and your engine may stall at any time.

Consider connecting your battery to a battery charger between starts to ensure it has enough power to start your engine if you didn’t fix the faulty alternator.

4. Can I disconnect the battery while my car is running?

This is not advisable.

Disconnecting a battery cable while the engine is running in modern cars can create a voltage spike lasting milliseconds and damage sensitive electronic circuits.

5. Can a vehicle alternator charge a battery bank?

Yes.

There are several configurations that you can use to charge your home battery bank from the alternator.

The simplest method uses a parallel circuit from the alternator to the starter battery and house battery. Others can use an external voltage regulator and charge controller.

6. How does a car alternator work?

Your vehicle’s alternator consists of several parts – namely the stator, rotor, diode and voltage regulator.

An alternator pulley is connected to the engine and drives the alternator belt.

The belt spins the rotor and creates a magnetic field that the stator uses to create tension.

The diode converts the voltage from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for the battery and the voltage regulator regulates this current output.

7. What are the signs of a defective starter motor?

The starter draws power from the car battery and uses it to crank the vehicle engine.

Here are some signs of a faulty starter:

There is a clicking sound when turning the key, but no start

The dashboard light comes on, but the engine does not start

The engine does not start when jump-started

last words

The battery needs the alternator to stay charged and the alternator needs the battery to start charging. Neither works well without the other.

So if you have problems with the alternator or battery, solve them quickly to avoid further problems later.

Luckily you have RepairSmith. Just reach out to them and their ASE certified mechanics will be on your doorstep ready to help!

brake warning lights

There is a difference between the red brake warning light and the amber/amber brake warning light. The red (RBWL) light illuminates when there is a hydraulic problem such as low brake fluid level or a loss of hydraulic pressure in any of the brake circuits. It will also illuminate when the parking brake is applied or shorted to ground.

It illuminates when the brake fluid level is low. A low fluid level often indicates that the brake pads are worn and need to be replaced. As the brake pads wear, brake fluid fills the chamber behind the caliper piston. It is important to check the system for leaks before filling the tank.

Yellow brake warning light

The amber (ABS) warning light indicates an electrical problem in the ABS, e.g. B. in the controller or in a sensor. A faulty wheel speed sensor will illuminate the amber (ABS) warning light. It is normal for the light to stay on a little longer at startup while the system is initializing and going through its self-test sequence.

Wednesday 15 June 2022

When a dashboard warning light comes on, it’s time to pay attention to your new Subaru or used vehicle. The alternator is either a battery or an ALT, both of which can indicate that your alternator is not working properly.

Without an alternator, your battery will not stay charged. During a ride in your vehicle, your alternator recycles energy and charges your battery. If it doesn’t work, your battery will die from the energy required to drive your car.

The alternator can function poorly until it shuts down completely. This can cause problems with your battery that you would attribute to the battery. If buying a new battery doesn’t solve your car’s power problems, your alternator is the next likely problem.

If you are having problems with your vehicle’s power supply, contact our service center here at Carbone Subaru of Utica and have one of our technicians take a look at your car to figure out the problem.

Do you have a bad alternator or battery? (14 Symptoms + FAQs)

If your car engine won’t start or cuts out frequently, you clearly have a problem.

However, is it an alternator or battery problem?

The battery supplies high voltage to the starter motor, which then cranks the engine and fires the spark plug. As soon as the engine is running, the alternator takes over and recharges the battery – the circuit is closed.

As you can see, either the alternator or the battery could be contributing to a starting failure.

So which one is it?

To find out, let’s go through the symptoms of both a bad battery and a bad alternator. We’ve also included some FAQs to give you a better picture of these two components of the launch and charge system.

This article contains

Let’s start with the problems that a bad battery causes, since it’s more likely to fail than the alternator.

6 Signs It’s a Battery Problem

When your engine won’t start, the first culprit is usually the car battery.

However, before you get your jumper cables, you need to verify that the battery is actually causing the problem.

Here are signs to look out for:

1. Dim the dashboard or headlights

When the engine is off, the vehicle’s battery powers all electrical accessories.

Turn on the ignition and check your dashboard light icons.

Do they glow?

This is a quick way to see if the car battery is online before you start the engine.

Turn on your headlights.

Are they dark or don’t turn on at all?

A weak battery will result in dim dashboard lights or headlights.

A dead battery does not light up at all.

2. Slow engine start or no start

If your engine won’t start or takes a lot longer than usual, it’s time to grab the jumper cables and attempt a jump start.

If your engine starts and keeps running, but later won’t start again, you probably have a battery problem. If your vehicle stalls right away, it’s probably a bad alternator.

NOTE: Remember that the battery’s negative cable does not go to the dead battery’s negative terminal (this is a common mistake!). Clamp it to an unpainted metal surface on the dead car. Read more in our dead battery guide.

3. Battery corrosion

Corroded battery posts impede electrical energy and prevent the car battery from charging properly.

Extensive corrosion may require professional attention or even battery replacement.

Also look for corroded or loose battery cables.

4. It’s an old battery

The traditional car battery lasts around 3-5 years – the older the battery, the lower its ability to hold a charge. Older, faulty batteries also accumulate more corrosion from leaks, leading to an inability to charge.

5. There is a strange smell

A leaking lead-acid battery will release sulfuric gases that give off that weird rotten egg smell. If your car battery is leaking, replace it as soon as possible.

6. A warped battery

Battery swelling often occurs in extreme temperatures when internal fluids and parts expand. If your vehicle battery is swollen, warped, or distorted in any way, it will need to be replaced.

If you’re not facing any of these six problems, a bad alternator could be the culprit.

Tip: If troubleshooting is too tedious, just contact a mobile mechanic.

Let them find out while you have a cup of coffee!

However, to be safe, let’s also go through the signs of a bad alternator:

8 Signs of a Bad Alternator

If your battery seems fine, starting problems could be due to an alternator failure.

Here’s how this potential troublemaker describes his problems:

1. Problems with starting and frequent engine stalls

A defective alternator has problems charging the battery.

The car battery, in turn, does not have enough energy to start the vehicle.

If the engine stalls almost immediately after a jump start, your car’s alternator is likely the primary culprit. Frequent engine stalls while driving also indicate a problem with the alternator.

However, if your engine won’t start but the headlights work properly, a bad starter could be lurking under your hood.

2. Dimming or headlights that are too bright

Your headlights may dim or brighten unevenly and may even flicker. This could mean that the vehicle’s alternator is having trouble delivering consistent power.

One way to check is to spin the engine.

If your headlights get brighter at a higher RPM and then get dimmer when you take your foot off the pedal, your car alternator is definitely having trouble.

3. Dimming the interior lighting

If your interior lights and dashboard lights gradually dim while the engine is running, this indicates insufficient output from a failed alternator.

4. A dead battery

This can be a bit confusing as it indicates a battery problem.

However, a dead car battery can also be a symptom of problems starting the vehicle – it is not always the cause.

Remember that a bad alternator will not charge the vehicle’s battery, so the next time you try to start it you will end up with a dead battery.

5. Electrical accessory malfunction

If your car’s alternator fails, it’s likely to upset any electrical system with inconsistent alternator performance.

An electrical problem like weird noises coming from your stereo, a slow rolling power window, or speedometer messing up can all stem from a bad alternator.

Vehicle computers often have a priority list of where power is going, usually from a safety perspective. So, if the alternator fails, the first thing you can lose is power to the stereo in front of the headlights.

6. Growling or squeaking noises

Growls or squeaks from your vehicle are never a good sign.

If the squeaking gets louder when the heating or sound system is switched on, there could very well be a dilapidated alternator. These noises could also be caused by a misaligned alternator belt rubbing against the alternator pulley.

Another way to pinpoint a bad alternator is to turn the AM radio down to low with no music and rev the engine. A resulting howling or fuzzy noise could indicate an alternator problem.

7. There is a burning smell

The alternator belt is under constant tension and friction. As it wears out, it can produce a burning smell because it is close to the hot engine.

A reworked alternator or one with damaged wiring can also emit a burnt smell. Frayed wires create electrical resistance and heat up when the alternator passes current through them.

8. The dashboard warning lights will illuminate

An illuminated battery light signals that something is wrong with your charging system. On some cars this could be indicated by the Check Engine light.

You may notice the dashboard lights turning on and off as different accessories are used. This happens because the alternator struggles to power changing loads.

To sum up:

Troubleshooting vehicle starting problems is not always easy.

What may seem like a simple dead battery issue could have a deeper cause. And because many of these battery and alternator symptoms overlap, it can be difficult to pinpoint the root cause of the problem.

Is there an easier way to solve the alternator or battery issue?

A simple solution to alternator or battery problems

The best way to fix your alternator or battery problems is to have a professional take a thorough look at them. They’ll even help you find a new alternator or battery (if needed)!

Who can you reach out to?

Luckily, RepairSmith is super easy to get to.

RepairSmith is a convenient mobile vehicle maintenance and repair solution.

They offer the following:

Battery repairs and replacements can be done right in your driveway

Expert, ASE-certified technicians perform vehicle inspection and maintenance

Online booking is convenient and easy

Competitive pricing up front

All maintenance and repair work is carried out with high-quality equipment and spare parts

RepairSmith offers a 12-month | 12,000 mile guarantee on all repairs

Complete this online form to receive a fast and accurate estimate for your starting and charging repairs.

Now that you have a better idea of ​​whether it’s your car’s alternator or battery that’s causing engine problems, let’s cover some common questions.

7 FAQs about alternators and batteries

Here are a few questions (and their answers) about these charging system components:

1. How urgent is an alternator or battery replacement?

A bad battery doesn’t damage the alternator, but a bad alternator can damage a battery.

The car battery is simply not designed to provide electrical energy over a long period of time, so both components must function optimally.

Luckily, traditional lead-acid batteries are comparatively cheap, typically costing around $50 to $120. Replacing an alternator can cost a little more, ranging from $500 to $1000, including labor.

You may be able to repair the alternator instead of replacing it, and a rebuilt alternator may be a little less expensive. However, like a new alternator, it depends on the make and model of your car.

2. How do I check alternator or battery performance?

Use a voltmeter or multimeter and connect the cables to the battery posts.

With the engine off, a healthy battery voltage should drop to around 12.6V.

With the engine running, the battery voltage should rise to 13.5V-14.4V.

Turn on the stereo, air conditioning, and headlights.

A battery voltage of around 13.5V indicates good alternator performance.

Your vehicle may also have a meter that measures volts or amps, which can also help you determine your alternator or battery performance.

3. Can I drive with a defective alternator?

Yes, although it is not advisable.

Your car battery will not charge properly and your engine may stall at any time.

Consider connecting your battery to a battery charger between starts to ensure it has enough power to start your engine if you didn’t fix the faulty alternator.

4. Can I disconnect the battery while my car is running?

This is not advisable.

Disconnecting a battery cable while the engine is running in modern cars can create a voltage spike lasting milliseconds and damage sensitive electronic circuits.

5. Can a vehicle alternator charge a battery bank?

Yes.

There are several configurations that you can use to charge your home battery bank from the alternator.

The simplest method uses a parallel circuit from the alternator to the starter battery and house battery. Others can use an external voltage regulator and charge controller.

6. How does a car alternator work?

Your vehicle’s alternator consists of several parts – namely the stator, rotor, diode and voltage regulator.

An alternator pulley is connected to the engine and drives the alternator belt.

The belt spins the rotor and creates a magnetic field that the stator uses to create tension.

The diode converts the voltage from alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC) for the battery and the voltage regulator regulates this current output.

7. What are the signs of a defective starter motor?

The starter draws power from the car battery and uses it to crank the vehicle engine.

Here are some signs of a faulty starter:

There is a clicking sound when turning the key, but no start

The dashboard light comes on, but the engine does not start

The engine does not start when jump-started

last words

The battery needs the alternator to stay charged and the alternator needs the battery to start charging. Neither works well without the other.

So if you have problems with the alternator or battery, solve them quickly to avoid further problems later.

Luckily you have RepairSmith. Just reach out to them and their ASE certified mechanics will be on your doorstep ready to help!