The Top Signs of a Bad Alternator and Dead Car Battery
The car battery and alternator in your vehicle are both part of its charging system, which means they’re designed to work as a team. Because your battery is responsible for getting your car started, you might assume it also powers your lights and other electronic components when your vehicle is running. But the alternator does all that while charging your battery—at least, it does when your car is working as it should.
Are you dealing with car trouble and think a bad alternator or car battery may be to blame? If so, you should figure out which of these components is the real problem before acting. Read on for our list of factors that could point to a failing battery or to an alternator and advice on what to do when these car parts act up.
Is Your Alternator or Car Battery To Blame?
Because your alternator and battery are closely interconnected, it probably won’t be easy to figure out which of these parts is behind your car’s issues. But by looking closely at what’s going wrong and being aware of a few key signs, you’ll be able to make a solid guess.
Bad Car Alternator
When your alternator is on the blink, your car battery might not get enough charge to run correctly. Some of the clearest signals indicating that your alternator is in poor shape include:
- Stalling after a successful start. If your car has no trouble getting started, your battery is presumably in good shape. Still, you might find yourself slowing a few minutes later. That means the battery might not be getting enough of a charge from your alternator.
- Radio problems. Here’s a quick way to test your alternator: tune your AM radio to a low station number (with no music playing) and rev your engine a bit. If the sound becomes “fuzzy” or you hear a whining noise, there’s a good chance that your alternator is on its last legs.
- Active dashboard lights. “Check engine” lights can activate in response to countless vehicle issues, which could certainly include alternator trouble. Meanwhile, your battery indicator light may indicate problems with other parts of your car’s charging system.
In ideal circumstances, alternators can have a much longer lifespan than other car parts—roughly seven years or 80,000–150,000 miles. But that longevity doesn’t mean these components can’t experience failure before reaching this point. If you believe your alternator is having trouble, bring your car to a reputable auto shop for a professional inspection.
It’s also worth noting that alternator trouble can actively damage your car battery. That’s the case because your alternator determines how much electrical current the battery receives. A faulty alternator can overcharge your battery, causing it to overheat and reducing its life expectancy in the process. Taking that into account, it’s best to react to potential alternator issues as quickly as possible.
Bad Car Battery
Of course, not all electrical issues with your vehicle are caused by its alternator. If you think your car battery may be causing problems, keep an eye out for:
- Difficulty starting your car. Because starting your vehicle is one of your car battery’s main responsibilities, it stands to reason that battery problems could easily cause issues with this process. It can be even more challenging to start a car with a failing battery in cold temperatures.
- Effective jump-starts. Alternator issues can make jump-starts less helpful than you’d expect. On the other hand, if your battery seems to function like it should after getting jump-started, then this component is likely the source of your problem.
- Corrosion on your battery terminals. When your battery’s terminals are covered with corrosion, they could easily disrupt your car’s electrical circuit. Fortunately, cleaning corrosion is as simple as using a premade battery terminal cleaner or a simple solution of water and baking soda.
If your battery is only a few years old, you might be able to repair this component on your own. But because car batteries have an average lifespan of three to five years, this strategy won’t work indefinitely. At some point, you’ll need to replace your battery to keep your vehicle up and running.
Choose the Right Auto Shop To Replace a Car Battery
Even when you take the tips in this article into account, it can be a challenge to figure out whether your alternator or your battery is experiencing problems. Your best bet in situations like these is to let the professionals take care of your charging system. However, this is easier said than done. Not every auto shop offers the same level of service, and some less-than-trustworthy mechanics could knowingly overcharge you for their work.
When you’re looking for a great auto shop near you, there are a few factors you should prioritize. It’s wise to look for businesses that offer:
- ASE-certified car mechanics. You can’t truly trust a car repair shop if they aren’t upfront about their mechanics’ qualifications. Prioritize auto shops whose mechanics have reached the industry’s “gold standard”—ASE certification.
- A complete lineup of auto services. Even after you get your charging system back in shape, there’s no telling when your car will encounter other problems. To save yourself time later on, be sure to find an auto shop that can do it all.
- Multiple chances to save. Your auto repair shop of choice shouldn’t make you pay exorbitant rates for the car services you need. The very best auto mechanics go the extra mile by offering online coupons or a rewards program.
- Convenient locations. No one should have to drive more than a few miles to get their car inspected by qualified mechanics. With that in mind, choosing an auto shop with more than one location or a concierge service is always a great idea.
If you want an auto shop that delivers all these perks and more, look no further than Tire Works in Las Vegas, Nevada and Mohave County, Arizona. When it’s time to replace a car battery or alternator, let us handle the job!
