Does Your VW Need an Alternator Repair?

Your car’s alternator is one of the most important components of your car’s engine. It’s what keeps your batteries charged, so if it’s not working properly, your engine might not be able to start. This could leave you stranded! Therefore, it’s really important to keep it in top condition, so if you notice any of the signs below, then it’s time to pay a visit to your local Volkswagen dealer for an alternator repair.

5 Signs You Need an Alternator Repair From Your Local Volkswagen Dealer

1. Your Dashboard Lights Come On

Some cars make it easy to know if your alternator is having trouble. You’ll often see a light in the shape of a battery appearing to let you know something’s wrong. On some cars, you might see the letters ALT or GEN appearing instead. Even if you haven’t noticed anything else wrong, don’t’ ignore it and hope it goes away! You could be in for worse trouble if you leave it too long, so take it to us for a diagnostic immediately!

2. New Battery Problems

If you’ve just replaced your battery, or your car is still fairly new, you should expect it to be reliable. But what if replacing your battery hasn’t solved your power problems? It could be that your battery is working correctly, but your alternator isn’t charging it properly. A bad alternator might not be able to recharge the battery, which can look a lot like it’s the battery itself that’s the problem.

3. Dim or Flickering Headlights

It’s the alternator that’s responsible for charging up your headlights, so if they don’t seem to be working properly, then it could be the alternator that’s at fault. Some of the most common symptoms are headlights that seem to be dimmer than normal or seem to be flickering. Again, it might be tempting to chalk this up to an issue with the headlights themselves, but always be aware that it could be the alternator at fault.

4. Strange Engine Noises

Yes, this might sound a bit vague. After all, there are lots of reason’s why your engine might be making strange noises, but it’s important to be aware that it could be the alternator that’s causing them. A failing alternator can in turn damage some of the engine bearings, which will manifest as an odd rattle. While it might not be enough on its own to pinpoint the alternator, when combined with some of the other symptoms on this list, it can be an important sign.

5. Your Car Stalls or Fails to Start

Your car doesn’t only need gas to run correctly, it also needs electricity. Power is used to ignite the fuel by way of the spark or glow plugs, which draw their power from, you’ve guessed it, the alternator. If it’s not working correctly, you could find your engine stalling suddenly, or refusing to start entirely.

If you’ve noticed one or more of the symptoms on this list, then your alternator might well need some attention. Give us a call at Tom Bush Volkswagen today, and one of our technicians will be more than happy to take a look.

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