Signs Your Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge or RAM Needs an Alternator Repair

If the electronics in your car are slowing down or failing, you may have a problem with the underlying electrical supply. The alternator is responsible for delivering voltage to every electrical car part, including the battery, so any electrical problem may indicate a bad alternator. Here are seven signs that your alternator is faltering, any of which should prompt you to visit your closest Chrysler dealership for alternator repair. 

Your Engine Is Misfiring and Stalling

A car’s alternator and battery both need to deliver a consistent flow of voltage to the engine’s ignition coils, which allow the spark plugs to ignite the fuel inside the combustion chambers. If a bad alternator causes this flow of electricity to dry up, the spark plugs will start misfiring. This will cause your engine to sputter and struggle, and eventually, your car will stall.

You Can’t Start Your Car in the Morning

When you turn your keys or press the engine starter in the morning, the battery needs to deliver a strong surge of electricity to get the engine going. If this fails to occur, then your battery has died for some reason. 

One cause for a dead battery may be that your alternator is malfunctioning, and it failed to recharge the battery while you were last on the road. If you jump-start your car, you’ll quickly find out whether the alternator is bad. A faulty alternator won’t be able to keep the engine’s spark plugs going for long. 

Your Headlight Brightness Is Fluctuating 

When an alternator begins to falter, there’s often a period where the electrical supply fluctuates. This may cause your headlights to brighten and dim or even start flickering. The other lights inside and outside of your vehicle may experience the same issue. 

Your Electrical Accessories Are Failing

A bad alternator won’t be able to power the other electrical accessories in your car either. Your infotainment system, stereo, heated seats, power windows, and other electronics will slow down and start to fail.

You Can Smell Burning Rubber 

The drive belt that transmits the engine’s power to the alternator can sometimes slip loose. This will stop the alternator from working, and you might also smell a burning rubber smell from the drive belt running over pulleys in the wrong position. 

Your Battery Warning Light Comes On

Whenever the electrical current running through your car fluctuates unexpectedly, the battery warning light on your dashboard is likely to come on. This light may be triggered by a fault with the battery, the alternator, or something else in the electrical system. 

Your Chrysler Dealer Notices a Problem

It’s best to have your electronics periodically inspected and tested by an experienced technician at your local dealership. This preventative maintenance measure will help ensure that any nascent alternator problems are found and fixed early on. 

Have your alternator tested and repaired today at Devils Lake Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. Our family-owned and operated dealership has been diligently serving the region’s drivers for a hundred years now, since 1923.

Tags: alternator issues, alternator repair, battery problems, dashboard warning lights, dimming lights, electrical malfunctions, frequent stalling, slow starts, vehicle electronics, vehicle maintenance, warning indicators, warning signs, weak battery, whining noises
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