4 Signs Your Nissan Could Use an Alternator Repair

Your alternator is a relatively simple component with only a few parts, but it plays a vital role in your car’s operations. From the time your engine starts to the time you switch it off, your alternator produces and supplies all of the electrical power your car’s systems demand. Alternators are fairly rugged, but they can wear out or components connected to them can fail. When you need an alternator repair, as your Nissan dealer, we can help you.

4 Signs Your Nissan Could Use an Alternator Repair at Your Nissan Dealer

Blown Fuse

Your alternator, like all the electrical components in your car, has a fuse. Just like a fuse in your house can fail, a car fuse can too. If the fuse blows, the alternator will immediately switch off. Your alternator is responsible for supplying all the electrical power to your car, and without it, that task falls to your battery. A battery isn’t capable of supplying all the power your car demands, and this will cause the battery to die.

Damaged Wires

Your alternator may be working perfectly, but the power it produces has to be transferred to the components that need it. A system of wires and cables snake through your car as conduits for this electricity. The wires and cables are protected by rubber coatings, but one of them can suffer damage. A damaged wire can cut off power to one or more of your car’s components.

Your alternator will continue to try and supply electricity through the damaged wire, and this will cause the wire to heat up and give off a burning smell. If you smell burning wiring, call our service department and we’ll find the damaged wiring and replace it.

Damaged Belts

The alternator or serpentine belt connects your crankshaft to several pulleys. As the crankshaft turns when you drive, the alternator belt runs through the pulleys at high speed and this causes each pulley to spin. As the pullies spin, they provide power to the engine parts connected to them. The alternator belt is made from tough reinforced rubber, but if the belt is not regularly serviced it can develop problems.

The belt runs at a high speed, and over time this movement can cause the belt to loosen slightly. A loose belt will suffer extra friction, and this can cause it to heat up. If you smell burning rubber from your engine, you may have a damaged alternator belt.

Dim Headlights

When an alternator gets weaker, it cant produce as much electricity as your car requires. To compensate for the reduced power supply, the alternator will shift power between components. Dim headlights are a sign that your alternator is struggling to supply power, and can only provide the minimum for the headlights to work.

Alternators never just fail, there are always numerous signs that something isn’t working right. If you experience any problem with your alternator, call our service department at Ed Martin Nissan of Fishers, and our technicians will fix it.
 

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