Signs You Need an Alternator Repair at Your CDJR Dealer

Illuminated Battery Light

The warning lights on your dash are early warnings that something is wrong. Your vehicle contains a multitude of sensors, each of which is attached to an important component. These sensors receive instructions from your computer and also inform your computer if something is wrong with their connected component.

Sensors can detect tiny changes in the behavior of their connected components, and this forewarning can allow an issue to be speedily repaired before it becomes a serious problem. An illuminated battery light could be a sign that the alternator is in trouble. Our technicians will examine your alternator and repair or replace it if something is wrong.

Dead Battery

A normal battery has a working life of three to five years. It gradually wears down and fails as the chemicals inside it break down and become inert. One of the main functions of the alternator is to recharge the battery, and it begins the recharging process as soon as your engine is running. As time passes, your alternator will slowly wear out, and this will affect battery recharging.

An older alternator spins slower than it previously did, reducing the amount of electricity it can supply. The battery uses a fixed amount of electricity to start your engine and as the electricity supply drops the battery won’t be able to fully replace this lost energy. A failing alternator will eventually cause an otherwise healthy battery to die. We’ll test your alternator and install a new one if the original is failing.

Burning Smells

As we’ve seen, the alternator spins at high speed to produce power. When the alternator slows down due to age and worn components, your computer will note the reduction in power supply and instruct the alternator to produce more electricity. In response, the alternator will attempt to spin faster, producing a hot metallic smell as it overheats while attempting to generate more electricity.

You might also smell the stench of burning insulation. This could be caused by wiring in the alternator overheating, or it could be due to damaged wiring in other parts of the electrical system. We’ll examine your wiring and replace any damaged sections. In addition, we’ll test your alternator and replace it if necessary.

If you suspect your alternator could be failing, contact our service department right away at Fury Motors Stillwater CDJR in Stillwater, MN.

Tags: Alternator Repair, CDJR Dealership
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