The alternator is a vital part of your car’s electrical system. It’s the component that produces the electricity required by all your car’s devices. If your alternator fails, your battery will inevitably fail soon afterward. When you need an alternator repair in Annapolis, MD, your Toyota dealer is here to help you. We have the technicians, parts, and equipment to quickly fix any alternator problem for you.
Signs You Need an Alternator Repair at Your Toyota Dealer
Shorted Battery Plate
A short in your battery can very easily damage a good alternator. The short will start draining battery power. When you start your engine, the alternator will kick in and produce electricity. Under normal circumstances, the alternator will charge your battery at full power for five minutes and will then switch to charging at 10% of your battery’s total capacity. This allows your battery to fully charge without straining the alternator.
A short in the battery, however, will register your battery at a far lower capacity than it should be. To compensate for this, and to charge the battery ASAP, your alternator will work harder than it should. Your alternator isn’t designed to run at full power for long periods, as this is not necessary. Constantly producing power will overheat your alternator and damage the rectifiers. This will cause your alternator to fail.
Starting Problems
Your battery provides the power to initiate the crank and start your engine. Cranking the engine is the largest use of power by your battery. Normally, this isn’t a problem as your alternator will quickly replenish the battery’s lost power. If your alternator is weak or failing, it can’t produce enough electricity for all of your cars’ components. This lack of power means your battery will be weaker, as it’s recharging much slower than it should.
If you turn the key and your engine has to crank several times before it starts, this can be a sign of an alternator problem. The lower level of battery power, coupled with the large amount of electricity needed to start your engine, means it can take much longer to start your engine. The extra time is taken up by your battery needing time to build up power.
Electrical Anomalies
When an alternator is failing, it produces less electricity than your car demands. Your computer will try and balance the electricity supply and demand by allocating electricity as needed. This can lead to a situation of electrical devices suddenly failing to work, as power is withdrawn and diverted to another device.
These anomalies can be anything from your radio failing to work to the dash lights going out. As other devices are switched off, more power becomes available and the electrical anomalies disappear. The more your alternator weakens, the more frequently these anomalies will appear.
Driving with a weak alternator can also damage other components, including the battery and your car’s computer. If you have any doubts about your alternator, call us right away at Koons Toyota Annapolis.
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