News

Your car utilizes several electrical systems to function as designed, and they all work hand in hand. It should be no surprise to know that your car’s electrical system utilizes a complex network of hardware and wiring that must be inspected and maintained regularly.

Some of the parts that depend on electronics to function properly are your headlights, engine fans, windshield wipers, power windows, and turn signals. There are many others that function to pump fuel to your engine, power your dashboard, and run your air conditioning unit. As you can see, without a properly operating electrical system, many of your car’s components wouldn’t function. In fact, it’s safe to say that it couldn’t operate at all.

Service is a necessary part of the upkeep of the electrical system. The vehicle’s electrical network is a series of circuits powered by a battery. This battery also stores and distributes power where it’s needed. There are many parts that make up this network but all rely on the alternator to function.

The Alternator in a Nutshell

The alternator is an ingenious component. At its most basic, it uses the energy from spinning mechanical parts and converts that into electrical energy, through the use of magnets and other components. It captures this mechanical energy and alters its form. The alternator can send this new form of electricity to your car's battery, where it can be distributed to the electrical components of your vehicle.

If the alternator begins to fail, it cannot send power to your battery. You may notice that your dashboard is not bright or the sensors are not functioning properly. Your headlights and blinkers may either dim or be overly bright. Your cabin lights may be dull when you open your car doors. If you ignore the signs of a failing alternator, it can easily lead to this component failing altogether. Without a functioning alternator, you may be able to start your car once or twice, but it will stall out and could leave you stranded.

Replacing Your Alternator and Checking the Battery

To narrow down the culprit of your electrical troubles, our shop will perform a three-step process:

• We will examine the starter and review the mounting hardware to ensure it’s still in good shape. We will also inspect the cable connections.
• A battery assessment will come next where we will inspect the mounting hardware to check for corrosion and rust. Then, we will examine the cable connections and the positive and negative terminals for corrosion and also review the battery case and its general condition.
• An “electric draw” test will be performed to determine how much power is needed to turn the engine over. We will check the general condition of the equipment and the electric hookups and connections. The drive belt also needs to be checked as well along with the brackets and other necessary hardware. We will also do a charging system examination to ensure that the voltage requirements for the alternator are up to the manufacturer’s specifications.

Huron Automotive for Your Car's Health

At Huron Automotive, our technicians provide alternator services at affordable prices. We can take the guesswork out of maintaining your car. You will feel confident that our ASE-certified technicians will provide thorough, quality service and a step-by-step process of the work that needs to be done.

Since 2010, we’ve worked diligently to provide excellent customer service and high-quality work to all of our consumers. If we discover that your engine requires alternator service, we can perform the necessary repairs to get you safely back on the road.

We understand that you are busy and have a full schedule, so if you prefer to stay active instead of waiting in our comfortable lobby, you can take advantage of the provided shuttle services. Additionally, we offer several benefits to keep you comfortable while you wait at our service center:

• free coffee and water
• 24-hour drop-off for your convenience
• free wifi so you can remain online

Choose Huron Automotive for your car's repair and maintenance for the areas of Bellevue, Luxemburg, Howard, Suamico, and Ashwaubenon communities. Schedule your car for service with us today!