Your Chevrolet’s systems and components require a large amount of electricity to function. The alternator in your engine is responsible for producing this electrical power. On average, your alternator will last eight years before wear and age begin to show. When this happens, our local Chevrolet dealership can perform an alternator repair. These are some signs it could be time to bring your new or used vehicle to our Chevrolet Service Center.
Starting Problems
If you try and start your car and hear only the plaintive sound of your engine trying to crank, your battery is low on power. This problem could be due to the age of the battery. A battery will usually only last for three to five years before it needs replacement. The starting problem could also be due to a worn alternator. One of the functions of the alternator is to maintain your battery’s strength.
As the alternator ages, its power generation weakens. An aging alternator can’t provide enough power for all your car’s systems, including the battery. Your battery will recharge at a lower and slower rate. This means each time you start your engine, your battery will become steadily weaker. We’ll test the battery and the alternator to find the source of the problem and replace it.
Slow Accessories
If you experience random electrical problems, like windows that refuse to open or a radio that switches on and off, your car isn’t haunted. These are warning signs that your alternator is failing. As we’ve seen, an aging alternator produces less power. This is a gradual, downhill process as an alternator always produces more power than your car requires.
When the alternator can’t produce power for all your car’s systems, your computer will assign the available power. The computer will shift power to components as needed. This can mean stopping one component, like the radio, and shifting its power to another component, like the headlights. These problems will become steadily worse as time passes. Once we replace your alternator, these problems will disappear.
Dim and Bright Lights
Your headlights have a constant luminescence. Headlights that start to go dim could be a sign that the bulbs are failing. If headlights then blaze brighter than they should, the problem is a worn alternator. The lack of power from a dying alternator shows in all the electrical systems. The headlights are a priority system, so your car’s computer will always assign them enough power to switch on.
When the lights become brighter than they should, this is a sign that the computer is assigning more power to compensate for the previous low supply. We’ll test your alternator to confirm the diagnosis and replace it if it’s failing.
If you have a problem with your alternator, book a service visit right away at Jim McKay Chevrolet in Fairfax, VA.
Connect with us
