Alternator Service Near Gardner, KS
Alternator Service at Victory Ford of Garnett
Over the years, your car is bound to eventually run into issues on the road, but electrical problems can easily be the most annoying to deal with. Your car might refuse to start when you need it most, and your electronics may suddenly go haywire. These signs all point to a faulty alternator. At Victory Ford of Garnett, we’ll be able to diagnose your vehicle so that you know exactly what you’re dealing with.
What Does the Alternator Do?
Everything from your dashboard to your lights is powered by electricity. With something small like a remote, you might have to replace the batteries every other month, and yet you might only get a new car battery every few years. This is thanks to your alternator, as it works hard to recharge your battery as you’re driving. It converts mechanical energy into usable electric energy, which is how your battery manages to trudge on for years at a time.
- Is My Battery the Problem?: When you start to run into electrical issues, your battery usually takes the blame. A lot of drivers don’t know that they can test their battery by itself though. If you live near Iola, Garnett, or Gardner, and you need to test your battery, then you can visit our mechanics at Victory Ford of Garnett. They can let you know how it’s holding up, and if the problem is your alternator, they have the experience needed to repair your model.
How Do I Know If My Alternator is Going Bad?
Outside of the indicator light on your dashboard, there are a few ways to tell if you have a bad alternator.
- Your Car Repeatedly Dies: This is the tell-tale sign of a bad alternator. If your battery is in great shape and yet it continues to die over and over again, then it’s probably not being charged.
- Strange Noises and Smells: If you hear squealing, grinding, or growling, then it might be time to have a mechanic look at your vehicle. You might also smell burning when you start your vehicle. These are all signs of a bad serpentine belt or pulley. Your alternator relies on your serpentine belt to function, so if it stops working, your alternator will, too.
- Electrical Issues: If you notice that your electronics are malfunctioning, then they may not be getting a steady supply of power. For example, you might notice that your lights suddenly get brighter when you drive faster and die down when you stop.
Where Can I Fix My Alternator?
A faulty alternator can be incredibly annoying to deal with, but our mechanics can get to work on solving the problem for you once you visit our service department.
- Dealing with Your Electrical System: Your electrical system is arguably one of the most complicated systems in your vehicle, rivaling even your engine. Because of this, it’s generally not recommended that you tackle the repair on your own unless you have a significant amount of experience. If you want to get your car up and running again quickly, then you can bring your vehicle to our mechanics at Victory Ford of Garnett.
- A Car That You Can Trust: When you have a bad alternator, your car might refuse to start on a routine basis. Once it’s repaired though, you’ll have an easier time planning out your trips.
At Victory Ford of Garnett, our mechanics can repair your electrical system. To get started, you can schedule your service with us online.