Battery warning on your dash? Car harder to steer or no longer starting? You may have a faulty alternator.

It’s a common issue, and one that can apply to any vehicle.

What is an alternator?

A car’s alternator creates electricity to charge the battery while it runs.

What causes a faulty alternator?

Sometimes, the voltage regulator within the alternator can fail, or the diodes in the alternator stop working. In either case, the alternator ceases to charge.

If this isn’t addressed, the battery can discharge and if left for too long—the battery can fail entirely!

What should you do?

If you’ve noticed your battery warning light is on or your steering has felt sluggish, we recommend getting your vehicle checked as soon as possible.

The sooner the better—as it can be a safety issue. Some vehicles have electronic / hydraulic steering, so if the alternator is not charging correctly then assisted steering becomes poor. If you aren’t ready for this as a driver, it could potentially lead to an accident occurring.

At Auto Studio, our skilled mechanics know what to look for.

In a recent case of alternator failure we attended to, we conducted several tests to diagnose the issue so it could then be addressed. These included:

• Scanning for faults
• Performing a test on the battery to check its condition and charging
• Performing a charge rate test via a multimeter and current clamp
• Checking the main grounds for the engine / body
• Checking the main fuse(s)
• Checking if the alternator clutch / freewheel pulley was in good condition

Faulty alternator in Adelaide? Contact us for a local team you can trust. Call 8357 0222 or book online.