3 Signs Your Chevy Needs an Alternator Repair

The alternator’s job is to produce electricity for your car and maintain the battery at full charge. If your alternator is old or damaged, it may not be producing enough power, and your car’s systems will begin to suffer. As your Chevy dealer in Liberty, MO, we can fix that alternator problem for you. We’d like you to know some signs that you’re going to need an alternator repair.

Sulfur Smell From the Engine

A foul sulfur smell usually means your battery is failing. A worn-out battery releases hydrogen, which mixes with the sulfur in your engine to form hydrogen sulfide. Hydrogen sulfide is flammable and toxic, and it also creates the corrosion you can see around an old battery. Sometimes, your battery might be fine but is being damaged by a worn alternator.

The alternator charges your battery at full power for 10 minutes, then switches to charging at a reduced rate. After ten minutes, the battery signals the alternator, and the charging level drops. A damaged alternator may continue charging at full capacity. Overcharging will damage the battery, which starts to boil and release hydrogen. We can replace the alternator, and we may also need to replace the battery if it’s damaged.

Electrical Problems

Random electrical problems can happen at any time for numerous reasons. If the problem doesn’t repeat itself, there’s nothing to worry about. If you start experiencing a range of odd electrical behaviors, you may have a damaged alternator. The alternator is responsible for supplying electricity, and this makes it the prime suspect for any electrical issue.

A weakening alternator can’t supply enough power for your systems and services. As a result of this, your car’s computer has to determine the best use of the limited available electricity. Power will be moved from one component to another, depending on their present need. The continual shifting of power reduces the lifespan of all the components involved. We’ll test the alternator, and we can replace it very quickly if necessary.

Strange Sounds From the Alternator

As an alternator gets older, some of its components can wear out due to age or damage. If you start hearing clunking, grinding, or squealing noises from your engine, you could have an alternator in trouble. Clunking noises could mean part of the alternator has broken and is moving around as the alternator spins. A grinding noise could mean one of the alternator bearings has failed.

Our technicians will examine your alternator to establish the cause of the noise. We can repair most components or install a new alternator if the original is too damaged.

If you have any doubts about your alternator, call us today at Heartland Chevrolet.

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