3 Signs Your Chevy Needs an Alternator Repair

Your Chevy alternator is a powerful mini generator that supplies all of your car’s electricity. The alternator works continually while your engine runs to supply power and recharge your battery. Over time, the alternator will eventually wear out, and you’ll need an alternator repair. Your Chevy dealer in Oxford, NC, can fix any alternator problem for you. These are a few signs that your alternator has a problem.

3 Signs Your Need an Alternator Repair at Your Chevy Dealer

Burning Smells

Your alternator rocks continually to supply electricity to your car. As it ages, however, it will gradually slow down. This slowdown reduces the amount of electricity the alternator can supply. The reduced electricity supply will cause electrical glitches and other problems for your Chevy. Your alternator will start to work faster to try and fix the deficit.

The alternator produces power by spinning, and as it spins faster, it will overheat, and you’ll smell burning metal. This hot metallic smell is a sign that the alternator has worn out. A worn alternator can’t be repaired, but we can replace it. Once we replace the alternator, your car’s electrical problems will disappear.

Damaged Wiring

The electricity your alternator produces must reach every component in your car, requiring a vast wiring network. The wiring is covered by rubber and plastic insulation to protect it against the engine heat, and cushion it against movement. Wiring can slowly wear out or get damaged. Damaged wiring will fray or break, cutting off power to your car’s systems.

Broken wires can’t conduct electricity, but the alternator will still try to send electricity to the affected component. This causes the wiring to heat up, and its insulation can burn. The acrid smell of burning insulation means that our technicians need to check your wiring ASAP. We can test your wiring and replace any worn or damaged sections. Once the repairs are complete, your electrical system will return to normal.

Dead Battery

A dead battery could be due to age, as a car battery has a relatively short life. Your battery will need to be replaced within five years as it wears out. If your battery has been replaced recently, the battery problem is most likely caused by an alternator problem. The battery doesn’t produce power. It depends on the alternator to keep it fully charged.

If your alternator wears out, it produces less electricity, as we’ve seen. This reduced electrical supply means the battery won’t be recharged to full capacity. Each time your battery is used to start your car, it will become steadily weaker and eventually fail. We can test your alternator and replace it if it’s worn out.

If you suspect you have an alternator problem, call us right away at Boyd Automotive of Oxford.

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