Your Ford contains numerous systems that make driving safer and easier than ever before. All of these systems require a constant and consistent supply of electricity. The alternator is the component in your engine that generates power for all these systems. Over time, the alternator will wear out or suffer damage. When this happens, our Ford dealer in Cincinnati, OH can perform an alternator repair for you. These are signs that your alternator could be failing.

Old Alternator

Alternators are tough and designed to last. On average, an alternator will work efficiently for eight years before it needs replacement. As an alternator gets older, its components wear out. These worn components take their toll on the alternator’s health, and it will start to fail. A failing alternator slows down and produces less electricity than it should.

If your alternator is aging, you may hear screeching to clunking sounds under the hood or smell hot metal or burning insulation. These signs can be due to other problems. If you’re also experiencing electrical failures, the usual cause of this situation is a worn alternator. Our technicians will examine your alternator, and we can quickly install a new one if required.

Burning Insulation

A vast network of cables and wires connects your alternator to all your car’s systems. These wires constantly carry electricity, and they’re protected against the heat of the engine with thick rubber and plastic insulation. Despite the best protection, electrical wiring is delicate and can become worn or damaged. Damaged wiring cuts off power to the component or components it connects to.

Damaged wiring can cause additional problems as electricity continues to flow into them. A break in wiring prevents the electrical current from passing through it, but the wiring will heat up due to the electrical flow. Wiring that gets too hot can cause its protective insulation to burn. Burning wiring produces toxic, acrid fumes. If you smell burning insulation, call us right away. We’ll identify and replace the damaged wiring.

Starting Problems

The battery provides the electricity that starts your engine. It doesn’t, however, produce this power. When you’re driving, the alternator recharges your battery to ensure it’s always fully charged.  A worn or failing alternator produces less power, and the reduced power supply also affects battery recharging. The battery’s electricity reserve will slowly drop as it uses more power than it receives from the alternator.

Starting an engine requires a large percentage of a battery’s stored power. A battery that’s not adequately charging will have difficulty in providing the power to start the engine immediately. You’ll hear a cranking noise as the battery struggles to supply the necessary power. We’ll test your alternator and install a new one if necessary.

If you suspect you have an alternator problem, schedule an appointment right away at Beechmont Ford’s Ford Service Center.

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