The alternator in your Ford generates electricity for all your car’s systems. On average, your alternator will last for at least eight years. As it gets older, it’ll start to wear out and you’ll need a repair or replacement. As your Ford dealer in Cokato, MN, we can provide an alternator repair for you. These are some signs to watch for that your alternator could be failing.
3 Signs You Need an Alternator Repair at Your Ford Dealer
Hot Metal Smells
Your alternator will wear out as it ages and will produce less electricity. The alternator produces electricity by spinning, and this spinning motion creates magnetic energy that’s converted into DC for your car’s systems. A failing alternator will spin faster as it attempts to produce more power to fulfill your car’s demands for electricity.
An alternator is designed to spin at a set speed. As it spins faster, it will start to overheat. You’ll smell a hot, metallic smell from under the hood as it overheats. The alternator’s internal component will also take more damage as it spins. Our technicians will test your alternator, and we can fit a new one for you if it’s worn out.
Burning Wiring
If you smell burning plastic or rubber when your engine is running, you could have damaged wiring. The electricity produced by the alternator must be transported to every component, and this requires a large amount of wiring. A car’s engine is a very hot environment, and the wiring is protected by thick rubber and plastic insulation.
Over time, wiring can get damaged despite its insulation. The damaged wiring doesn’t conduct electricity, but the alternator will continue to push electricity into the damaged wire. The flow of electricity causes the wiring to heat up, and this can set its insulation on fire. If you smell burning insulation, call us ASAP so our technicians can fix the wiring problem before it gets worse.
Damaged Alternator Belt
The alternator belt connects to the crankshaft and runs across several pulleys. Each of these pulleys connects to a vital component. The movement of the crankshaft causes the belt to run across the pulleys and enable them to spin. The alternator belt is manufactured from tough, reinforced rubber, but it will wear out.
A worn alternator belt can jam as it runs across the pulleys. It can also crack, and a crack in the rubber could lead to the alternator belt snapping. A snapped alternator belt will shut down all your car’s systems. We can test the belt and replace it with a new one.
Your alternator will always show signs that it’s failing. Call us at Lundeen Motors Ford of Cokato, and we’ll fix the problem.
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