With the rise of electrical components being incorporated into cars, the alternator is becoming critical in your car’s function. The alternator is essential for charging your car battery, starting your car, and providing power to other electrical components. Not sure if you need an alternator repair? Check out problems indicative of a failing alternator below and why you should go to a Kia dealer for repair.
Signs of a Failing Alternator
Battery Failure
As mentioned the alternator is essential to keeping your battery charged. It does this by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy to use in powering your vehicle’s battery and other components like headlights, radio, and windshield wipers. Most of the time a dead battery is just that, a dead battery.
If you get a new battery or jumpstart the old one and it still fails to hold a charge, then it is a good indicator of a failing alternator. Most automotive stores can check if your battery is holding a charge. Another thing to keep an eye out for is the battery light on the instrument panel. This could also show a failing alternator.
Dim Headlights
Dim headlights are mostly caused by the alternator failing to deliver a consistent charge to the headlights. This inconsistency usually causes a dimming of the headlights, but occasionally it causes flickering as well. If you notice a change in headlight brightness or flickering be sure to get your alternator checked.
Electrical Component Failure
The radio, the headlights, the wipers, and more – the alternator provides a charge to them all. These systems do have the power to break on their own. For example, the power windows stop working but the radio works perfectly fine. But if multiple electrical systems are acting up at once/in the same time period, it is usually indicative of a faulty alternator.
Strange Smells
The alternator is constantly moving and moves faster at high engine speeds. These high speeds in turn cause a lot of friction, especially on the drive belt. This friction wears down the belt and is usually followed by a burning rubber smell. If you smell burning rubber it is a good cause to get your alternator checked, especially if any other symptoms mentioned have manifested.
The alternator also has electrical wires that can become damaged over time. These can also burn due to friction or some other failure. The difference is that the wires will smell similar to an electrical fire. So keep your nose keen and try to catch any strange smells while driving.
Go to Kia Dealer for Alternator Repair
Even though Kia is one of the most reliable car brands, repairs will be needed over time. Repairs can be conducted by a skilled individual, a third-party autobody, or a dealer. For the most reliable and skilled repairs, going with the dealer is the best option. Kia mechanics are trained on hundreds of Kia repairs. They eat, sleep, and breathe Kia.
After deciding on going with a dealer, the question becomes: which dealer location do I go with? There are many options to consider, but be sure to take into account the dealer’s knowledge, customer service, and what they offer. Give Crain Kia of Fort Smith a call today for customer service out of this world and Kia knowledge rivaled by none.
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