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Alternator trouble is never fun, so you should visit your Ford dealer as soon as you notice the signs of a faulty alternator. Visiting your Rochester MN dealer will ensure that the alternator issue is fixed quickly. Pay close attention to your vehicle at all times when driving. You never know when one of these 7 signs is going to pop up.
7 Common Signs Your Ford May Need an Alternator Repair From Your Ford Dealer in Rochester MN
1. Your Lights Are Behaving Erratically
Your headlights can indicate that you need an alternator repair in four ways:
- They’re too dim
- They’re too bright
- They’re flashing on and off
- They alternate between too bright and too dim
These four headlight issues indicate that your alternator can’t supply power to the lights adequately or steadily. You’d better get your alternator checked out fast.
2. Your Battery Dies
A dead battery has several causes, and one of those is a faulty alternator. You can rule out alternator issues with one simple trick. Jumpstart your vehicle, then wait for a while. If the battery dies soon after being jumpstarted, then it’s an alternator issue. Your alternator can’t recharge the battery adequately, so the battery keeps failing.
If your vehicle stays on when jumpstarted, then great, it’s not an alternator issue. However, your battery may be on its last legs, so head to a dealership to get that checked out.
3. Your Accessories Malfunctions
Modern vehicles are programmed to prioritize functions such as your headlights when your alternator is failing. This leads to faulty accessories, like a dead radio, non-functioning seat warmers, or a slow, dim-screened infotainment system.
More of your accessories will fail if you ignore the issue, so visit your dealer as soon as something is amiss in your vehicle. Your dash may start malfunctioning next, and it’s only a matter of time before your headlights become faulty, too.
4. Issues While Starting
If you have trouble trying to start your vehicle, then that’s a sign that your alternator is failing to power the battery correctly. Your vehicle will probably start with a little persistence, but it might not start next time you try to drive. Head to the dealer for a fix. Your battery will most likely die, as we discussed earlier, if you ignore the issue.
5. You Keep Stalling
If your vehicle stalls while you’re driving, then it means that your alternator isn’t powering your spark plugs very well. This prevents the engine from running smoothly. This warrants immediate attention and an expert repair.
6. Your Engine Growls or Whines
Noises are a huge indicator of trouble in your vehicle. You’ll usually hear growling or whining noises when your alternator needs repairing, but these sounds can have other culprits, too. Get your vehicle checked out as soon as you can.
7. You Smell Burning
Burning smells are unfortunately common in vehicles. Worn-out alternator parts can create a burning odor, too. The alternator’s drive belt emits a foul, rubber-burning scent when it’s worn out, but frayed alternator wires can cause the issue, too. You’ll smell something akin to an electrical fire when your wires are frayed.
Do you need to get your alternator fixed? Come to Rochester Ford, and we’ll get you fixed up and back on the road soon.
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