3 Signs Your Ford Needs an Alternator Repair

Your Ford has numerous systems and devices that require electricity. The alternator produces electrical power for your car by converting mechanical energy into electrical energy. Alternators are robust components and have an average life of eight years. During this time, they can get damaged or worn out. When you need an alternator repair, your Ford dealer is here to help you. These are some of the possible signs that your alternator is failing.

Damaged Rectifier

When your crankshaft turns, its movement causes the alternator belt to run across the alternator pulley. The pulley spins due to the belt’s movement, and the alternator spins in response. A bundle of magnets wrapped in copper wire inside the alternator generates magnetic energy as the alternator spins. This energy is captured by the stator and turned into electrical energy.

The energy produced by your alternator is AC, and all of your car’s systems and devices require DC. The rectifier converts AC to DC and supplies this power to your car. A damaged rectifier won’t convert the electricity. If your car’s systems don’t receive DC, they will shut down immediately, and your car will stop. We can replace the rectifier to fix this problem.

A Dead Battery

If your battery is old and it suddenly dies, this is expected. A car battery will last up to five years, and then it must be replaced. Your battery, however, can be drained by a damaged alternator. The power your battery uses to sustain your car’s electrical systems and to start your engine needs to e recharged by the alternator. A failing alternator may not produce enough power to do this.

If your battery isn’t constantly recharged by the alternator, it will grow steadily weaker and eventually die. Our technicians can test your alternator and replace it if it’s wearing out. We can also test your battery and recharge it if it’s not damaged.

Broken Wiring

The electricity produced by the alternator must be transported to all your car’s systems. Miles of plastic and rubber-coated wiring wend through your engine to transmit this power. Wires are fragile, and they fray or break. A broken wire will cut off the power supply to its attached component. Your car’s computer will record the loss of power and assign the alternator to supply more power.

The power flow through the damaged wiring will cause it to heat up, and the wiring’s insulation could catch fire. We can test the wiring and replace any broken or damaged sections.

The alternator will always show warning signs that it’s failing. If you suspect an alternator problem, call us right away at Conway Ford.

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