If you experience flickering headlights, stalling or strange noises when driving, your car isn't haunted; chances are it's just a failing alternator. The alternator is a key component in your car's electrical system, turning the energy from the crankshaft into useful electricity to power your vehicle's electrical systems and to help the battery recharge. When it starts to fail, it can create a domino effect of electrical problems that can ultimately cause a breakdown.

Autofreeman.com.ng

How do you know when you have a failing alternator? Here are six symptoms to watch for.

The indicator light
It's quite likely that your vehicle is equipped with a warning indicator light in the dashboard titled "ALT" or "GEN." This is often the first indicator that the alternator is going bad. Don't ignore this indicator, even if you are experiencing no other symptoms. Take the vehicle to a reliable automotive specialist for a diagnostic.



Headlights are dim or flickering
Flickering or dim headlights are a strong signal that your alternator may not be working correctly. The alternator provides power to the headlights, so the flickering usually means the alternator is struggling to perform.



Other electrical failures
When the alternator is going bad, other systems that are powered by the alternator may start to act up. These can include the power windows, power locks, dashboard lights, air conditioning, even your car radio. Other things might be causing these failures, but it's worth taking it to a trusted auto repair service to have it checked out.



Strange noises
This seems like a vague symptom--after all, lots of things can cause unusual noises in the car. However, sometimes alternator failure can cause some of the bearings to fail in the engine, creating unusual rattles. The alternator might be the culprit, especially if accompanied by some of the other symptoms we've mentioned.



Car stalls or has difficulty starting.
Your car isn't just running on gasoline; it also runs on electricity (even though it might not be one of those hybrid vehicles). The alternator provides power to the spark plugs that ignite the gasoline in your engine. When the alternator is failing, there might not be enough power in the spark plugs to keep the engine alive, which can cause it to stall for no reason while running, or to have trouble starting. Ignore this symptom, and your car eventually won't start at all.


Battery dies
Obviously, batteries sometimes fail on their own--but a bad alternator can actually cause the battery to drain because it's failing to recharge it. If your battery goes dead, have the alternator checked when replacing the battery so it doesn't happen again.

Source: automotiveolympia.com

Can you shed light on size of alternators... I was told that my battery couldn't charge well because the alternator is 90 , but to get 120 . thanks

Can the alternator be changed

debuscket:
Can the alternator be changed

Yup

I need the alternator for my car,any dealer in the house

debuscket:
Can the alternator be changed

well well Na? it can be changed.

nice one.

Nice one.

Best topic so far today. My battery has been giving me a nightmare

I think you just solved my car problem. My engine is fine but it's starts like kicking for 4time or more. The last time my battery died on motion. My light n car power goes weak when in heavy rain and the car power is slow when I starts it even after changing the pump more than 4 times. Olodo mechanic everywhere

True talk broz......my is that my car have this noise as if the chain is weak but I no is not alternator because apart from the noise coming from the engine side were chain or belt should be. Plz what can you diagnose.

baba nor be new battery issue.
na alternator ish.
happened tp me.
whatdidi not change..today dashboard na drl light
tomorrow weak battery
a/c
dead horn.
all the mechsnics na trial and error
stack illiterates.
buh 2day af fixed everything up.
now my condenser n ac compressor is bad cos of quacks.i refil ac this week.aft 2weeks.its finished.
infct b4 ud see a genuine intelligent mechanic..
its like looking for a genuine pastor or babalawo.
very rare

tdbankplc:
I think you just solved my car problem. My engine is fine but it's starts like kicking for 4time or more. The last time my battery died on motion. My light n car power goes weak when in heavy rain and the car power is slow when I starts it even after changing the pump more than 4 times. Olodo mechanic everywhere

benjamin007:
I need the alternator for my car,any dealer in the house

Your car

How to dectect a Faulty Alternator easily

Start your car

Remove your Positive Battery Terminal or Both with Negative

Then on your Head Light,Wiper,Ac,Car Radio,

Your car engine must not go off in the process

If it does then your alternator is Damaged

That when you will hv un explained Drained Battery if you like buy new one. It will not last 24hours

Op, thanks for the post.

Quite educative.

benjamin007:
I need the alternator for my car,any dealer in the house

07060851026, call this number

africanb:
Best topic so far today. My battery has been giving me a nightmare

Sell the car and buy a new battery

dis happened to me a month ago...... and despite all de warning i used the car until it grind to a halt. Eventually cost me a lot to tow the car from the M25 to my house. took the car to de mechanic but the amount (500£) dey wanted for a new alternator blew me away..... So i did it naija style by taking the alternator for a repair and de guy collected 70£ for labour and a new regulator. My naija mechanic fit am for 60£ job done.

Please can a car alternator be repaired

sureboykris:
Please can a car alternator be repaired

Yes it can

Kaybaba5:


Yes it can

Thanks is it an easy thing to do?
Can any random electrician repair it?
Is there a disadvantage?
What's the cost of a tokunbo alternator for infiniti qx4 2001

Thanks again