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Your Ford alternator is responsible for generating electricity for all your car’s systems and devices. It converts mechanical energy generated by the turning crankshaft into DC. Over time the alternator can become damaged or fail. If either of these events happens, it’s time to see your friendly Ford dealer for an alternator repair. These are a few signs your alternator could be in trouble.
Blown Fuses
All the electrical systems in your car have fuses, and these fuses work identically to the fuses in your home. The fuses are designed to absorb electrical shorts or rogue electrical charges to prevent damage to their attached system. A fuse will blow out, and the system it’s attached to will shut down until the fuse is replaced.
If the alternator fuse blows, this creates a problem for your car. The alternator will automatically shut down, cutting off the electrical supply to your car’s systems. The battery will take over in supplying electricity, but its storage capacity is very limited. A fully-charged battery will usually run down in less than an hour. We can easily test your fuses and replace a blown alternator fuse. Once this is done, your alternator will work normally.
Dim Lights
Dim headlights, dash lights, and cabin lights can all be signs of an alternator problem. When your engine is running, the alternator supplies power to all these systems. As an alternator gets older, it slowly weakens and produces less electricity. When this problem starts, it’s not immediately apparent as an alternator produces more power than your car’s systems require.
As the alternator steadily declines, the reduced electrical supply will become obvious. The limited supply of electricity forces your car’s computer to assign power to systems as required. When this happens, the computer will often assign just enough power to the lights to allow them to illuminate. We can easily test your alternator, and install a new one if necessary.
Weak Battery
The alternator charges your battery, and the battery provides the power to start your engine and maintain the electrical systems when your engine is switched off. The battery can fail due to age, but it can also fail due to a weakening alternator. It requires a large electrical charge to start your engine. This power should be replaced by the alternator as you drive.
As we’ve seen, the alternator gradually produces less electricity. This lack of electricity will impact the battery, as eventually, the alternator won’t be able to fully charge the battery. When this happens, your battery will become steadily weaker as it supplies more power than it can replace. We can easily test your alternator and replace it if it’s failing.
If you’re experiencing any problems with your alternator, call us right away at Gates Ford Lincoln.
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