We’ve all heard of an alternator and know that it’s essential to our vehicles. But what is it? Simply put, the alternator creates electric energy to keep your car battery charged, powering all your electronic functions and running the vehicle. When your alternator goes out or becomes damaged, it can severely affect your ability to drive your Lexus. If you feel that you need an alternator repair, come visit your local Lexus dealer here at Lexus of Wilmington.
1. Difficulty Starting Your Car
One of the most well-known signs that your alternator may be damaged is if your car stalls or is difficult to start. This is because vehicles use the juice stored within the battery to crank. If the car has already been running but is stalling, the alternator may not be powering the spark plugs enough to keep the engine running.
Since the alternator recharges the battery when it is at rest, both of these issues can be an indication that it is not properly doing its job and your battery may be dying.
2. Dead Battery
One of the other major signs of a damaged or broken alternator is a dead battery. Though sometimes batteries do die naturally after years of use or you may accidentally drain it of its juice by leaving interior lights or headlights on overnight, a suddenly dead battery could be a sign that your alternator has malfunctioned.
Since a damaged alternator doesn’t charge the battery while the engine runs, the charge runs out more quickly. If you jumpstart your car and it runs a short while only to die again shortly after, that may mean that your alternator is not sufficiently powering your battery.
4. Malfunctioning Lights & Accessories
As mentioned above, the alternator powers your battery to run all your vehicle’s electronic functions. If you notice that your lights are too dim, too bright, flicker, or change intensity suddenly, your alternator may be beginning to fail. This is because the alternator begins to provide inconsistent power to your light system, making them behave unpredictably.
5. Weird Smells and Sounds
It’s clear that if your alternator doesn’t work, your car won’t work either. Difficulty starting and running your car, a dead battery, malfunctioning lights and electronics, and odd smells and sounds from underneath the hood are all indications that your alternator may need to be repaired. If you notice any of these signs and your Lexus needs an inspection, contact us today at Lexus of Wilmington. Our mechanics will gladly help restore your vehicle to optimum health.
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