What to Know About Alternator Repair/Replacement

January 31, 2023

A person is holding a car alternator in their hands. | Lex Brodies
The alternator is one of the most important, yet overlooked, parts of your vehicle. It is the electrical component responsible for charging your battery and powering multiple electronics. Therefore, a bad or failing alternator can be a nightmare to deal with. If you want to learn more about the alternator and how to detect a bad one, keep reading.

What Are the Signs of a Bad Alternator?

Dimming or flickering headlights is a common symptom drivers experience when their alternator is on its last leg. Other people may notice unusual noises coming from under the hood, typically coming from the belt next to the alternator. Some other red flags include troubled starts, burning smells, and malfunctioning accessories. If you experience any of these symptoms, please bring your car to LexBrodies Honolulu for an inspection of the alternator.

How We Diagnose an Alternator Problem at LexBrodies

One of our mechanics will look around under the hood, locate the alternator, and perform a test using a multimeter. If it is not outputting enough voltages, we will recommend changing the alternator to a new one. Replacing an alternator can be a hassle, and it is time-consuming. That is why we recommend doing it at our auto repair shop, to reduce your vehicle’s downtime.

Typically, you don’t have to change your alternator like you would for tires or brake pads. They last a long time, 100,000 miles or more. You should replace them when they are no longer in working order. Soon after your alternator has problems, your car battery may die. That is why you should act quickly.

If you notice the warning symptoms of a faulty alternator, act sooner than later. We can inspect and service all your vehicle’s electrical system components at LexBrodies Honolulu. You can trust us to take care of your alternator repair/replacement.

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