Knowing When It's Time to Rebuild Your Alternator

The alternator is an important part of the vehicle's engine. It keeps the battery sufficiently charged so that all the electrical components of the vehicle can remain functional. The alternator and the battery exist in a symbiotic relationship where they constantly depend on each other. Therefore, when the alternator experiences issues, the battery closely follows.

Alternator rebuilds are sometime necessary to repair a faulty alternator. During a rebuild, various components of the alternator itself are inspected for damage or wear and tear, and replaced if necessary. There are several signs that can point to a faulty alternator that may need rebuilding. Keep an eye out for the following signs.

Frequent starting problems

If you often have to crank your car repeatedly before it starts, it is indicative of a faulty alternator. This often happens when the alternator begins to get worn out, and not all the brushes are able to reach the coil in order to provide the electrical current required to cause the vehicle to start. In such cases, an alternator rebuild may be necessary to repair the brushes and the coil.

Battery keeps dying

In some cases, you may have a new battery (less than 3 years old), and yet your car battery keeps going dead. The alternator is responsible for keeping the battery charged. As a result, a constantly dead battery indicates a faulty alternator.

If your alternator is unable to keep the battery fully charged, it may need to be rebuilt so that the coils and other faulty parts can be replaced. Alternator rebuilds can also prevent you from incurring the cost of purchasing a new battery.

Electrical accessories don't work well

You may also notice that the lights of your stereo, dashboard and headlights are dimmer than usual. They may also get dimmer anytime you start the vehicle or press on the gas pedal. If this is the case, you probably have a faulty alternator that needs rebuilding.

The problem indicates that the alternator is unable to handle the electrical load of the vehicle. This could be due to a faulty resistor within the alternator itself.

Grinding noises during vehicle operation

Alternator rebuilds are often carried out to replace worn out or broken bearings. You may notice this issue in your alternator when you hear grinding noises in the engine during operation of the vehicle. This disruptive noise is often caused by a faulty bearing that is grinding against other internal parts of the alternator.

Speak with a mechanic who rebuilds engines for more information about when it might be time to rebuild your alternator.