A healthy alternator is essential for your GMC vehicle. The alternator’s job is to produce electricity for your car’s systems. Unfortunately, age and damage can result in problems for the alternator, and you’ll need to visit your GMC dealer for a repair. These are a few signs that you may need an alternator repair.
Strange Noises
The alternator produces electricity by spinning at high speed. A healthy alternator makes no sound as it works. If you start to hear grinding, squealing, or other strange noises under the hood, your alternator could be in trouble. In addition to the strange noises, your check battery light will illuminate in response to this situation.
Squealing noises are usually generated by a problem with the alternator belt. The alternator belt connects to the crankshaft. As the crankshaft turns, the belt runs across the alternator pulley, which spins in response, and powers the alternator. Over time, the belt can slip partially out of its groove, and this will cause a loud squealing sound. We’ll examine your alternator belt and reposition it if necessary.
Damaged Battery
It may sound strange, but a failing battery can very easily cause your alternator to fail, too. As we’ve seen, the alternator’s primary responsibility is to provide power for your car’s electrical systems. Its secondary function is to recharge the battery. The recharging process begins as soon as your engine is running.
The alternator will send a full-strength charge to the battery for approximately five minutes, then switch to a recharging rate of 10% of battery capacity. The reduced charging level is necessary to prevent damaging the battery and alternator. A damaged battery won’t send the confirmation signal, and the alternator will continue to try and recharge it at full power. The battery light will light up to warn there’s a problem. We’ll replace your battery and test the alternator for signs of damage.
Electrical Failures
When an alternator reaches a certain age, it starts to slow down due to its worn components. This slowdown isn’t a problem initially, as an alternator produces more electricity than your GMC requires. As time passes, the steadily reducing electrical supply will start to cause problems. One of the first signs that something is wrong is the appearance of random electrical failures.
The lack of an adequate electricity supply forces the available power to be shifted from component to component according to set priorities. This situation can result in your sunroof halting in mid-movement or your radio suddenly switching off. As time passes, these failures will become more frequent. We’ll test your alternator and replace it if necessary.
Alternator problems are usually simple and easy to fix. Call our service department today at Hart Motors GMC.
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