You turn the key, fire up the engine and all you hear are rapid clicks. Do you suspect you may have a bad starter or alternator but aren't sure? Advance Auto Parts can help.
Just stop by your local store with the starter or alternator removed from the vehicle, and a store team member can use a bench tester to tell you in just a few minutes if your part has failed. If not, you've saved yourself the frustration of purchasing a new part you don't need and can keep looking for the issue. If it's bad, you can conveniently pick up your new starter and alternator at the store and leave your old one for the core return.
Let us help you troubleshoot, here are several common clues that your alternator could be bad and what you can do about it:
Source | Manuel Sankitts
BAD ALTERNATOR SYMPTOMS:
1. Dim lights
The failing alternator symptom most drivers recognize is dim or flickering lights. This is really obvious when headlights are on at night, but also noticeable in dash lights and the center dome light. If the lights brighten as RPMs pick up, that's even more of a sure sign.
2. Battery light
Another obvious sign is the one your vehicle tries to tell you. This varies by the model, but when the alternator starts to let go, it can light up one of several lights. Often you'll see the red battery icon light stay on, but you may also see a “Check Engine" or “ALT" indicator.
3. Odd noises
The serpentine belt could have stretched with age and may not be spinning the alternator pulley effectively, leading to a lack of charge. This typically results in a squealing noise. On the other hand, the internal bearings can wear out, causing a growl or grinding noise.
4. Electrical issues
Electrical vehicle equipment like power seats or windows may be slow to operate. Without enough power, sometimes the device will not function or will suddenly stop working, like the radio turning itself off.
5. Engine stalling
If the engine suddenly cuts while driving, it could be an alternator issue. Fuel injection needs a good amount of electrical power, and without it the engine stalls quickly.
6. Dead battery
Without a functioning alternator, the vehicle quickly uses up all of the battery's capacity, leaving it drained. Pop the hood and check the battery, and you might think you've found the culprit. A fresh battery and a malfunctioning alternator, however, will quickly leave you stranded again. Are you ready to tackle this job yourself? We can help with that, read on for the tools you'll need to complete the job.
TOOLS NEEDED:
Code Reader (optional)
HERE'S HOW TO DIAGNOSE A FAILING ALTERNATOR
If you have a “Check Engine" light on, connect a code reader to the diagnostic port. If you find code P0562, you very likely have a failing alternator (note that codes may vary by vehicle make/model/year). Get it checked out before it fails entirely.
If you suspect a failing alternator but don't have a warning light, pop the hood and check the condition of the belt. If it is glazed and slightly burnt-looking, that is an indication that it is slipping. The belt is too loose, so it slips on the pulleys instead of traveling along them. The metal-on-rubber friction heats up the belt, quickly wearing it out. Adjust the tensioner to get the belt just right (too tight can also damage an alternator's bearings) or replace the serpentine belt since it is among the most affordable car parts you can buy. It should be a quick and easy repair.
If everything looks good under the hood, grab your multimeter. Make sure the vehicle is parked on level ground with the parking brake on and wear your safety glasses. Set the meter to 20V DC and connect the leads to the battery — positive lead to positive battery terminal and negative lead to negative terminal. It should read around 12.6 volts.
Start the engine and carefully check the voltage again. This time it should be at least 14.2 volts if the alternator is healthy and charging the battery. If voltage is good, turn on the headlights, interior lights, radio, heater and any other electrical load. The meter should still display above 13 volts. If any of the voltages are below spec, it's a strong case for a new alternator. Also, while checking all of your cables for corrosion or a loose connection, you may find that you need new alternator connectors, rectifier sets, or brush sets. If there are issues, stop by your local Advance Auto Parts store to get the replacement parts you need. We offer the highest-quality alternator parts from some of the most proven brands.
HERE'S HOW AN ALTERNATOR WORKS
The alternator is basically how a vehicle seems to have an endless supply of electricity. It takes a lot of juice to start an engine and meet all the various electrical needs of a vehicle. While different batteries can have enormous capacities, eventually the headlights, heater, stereo and navigation would all drain the battery of power.
An alternator charges the battery while the vehicle is running by turning mechanical energy from a spinning pulley into current. The rotor, brushes and other internal parts of an alternator wear out over time, so replacing it is something everyone eventually needs to do. The following symptoms should give you an idea of what's gone wrong, but if you're still not sure, you can always bring your vehicle to Advance Auto Parts for a charging and starting system test.
Have you recently dealt with a bad alternator? Leave your war stories in the comments.
