3 Common Charging System Problems Your Car May Have

The charging system in your vehicle is critical to its operation. However, many common issues, such as the battery or alternator, can affect the charging system. Issues that affect the charging system need addressing as soon as you know you have a problem — or you may find yourself stranded with a car that will not start or run.

One of the most common problems that indicates a charging system problem is a dead battery. First, you likely need to determine the cause. For example, if the battery is old, it may no longer hold a charge. Two to five years is the common life of an automotive battery, so if yours is older than that, you may need a replacement.

Testing the battery is not difficult, but if you can get it to a parts shop that offers free battery testing, you will get a full load test and report on the condition of the battery and not have to guess whether it is bad or not.

If the battery tests fine, check the connectors on the battery and the alternator. Corrosion on the terminals can reduce the conductivity, causing low charge condition.

Alternators are typically reliable and you may never have to change one, but some things can go wrong with the alternator that will cause it to fail.

The most common of these is a bad voltage regulator. When the alternator works and produces electricity, the voltage regulator inside the unit controls how much of that electricity goes to the car’s charging system.

Since the car has a twelve-volt system, if the alternator had no control over it, the potential for a much higher voltage output would be possible. If the voltage regulator fails, this is essentially what happens and the overvolt condition can damage the battery or other parts of the car.

On the other side of the coin, the voltage regulator may limit the voltage more than it should, keeping the battery from fully charging and failing to power the rest of the electrical system properly.

If you drive your car at night with the headlights on, and the alternator does not work at full output, the additional power for the lights and the ignition system of the car will come from the battery, not the alternator. This situation can result in a battery that is undercharged or completely dead. Have a professional check the alternator for proper function and replace it if it does not work properly.

Another common problem that can cause the charging system to fail is a broken alternator belt or one that is worn so bad it slips badly. If the alternator works properly but the belt doesn’t spin it fast enough, the voltage output can drop and cause the system to act as though the alternator doesn’t work.

If the belt breaks while you drive the car, you may not notice it right away, but newer cars use one belt to drive everything so you may notice the car overheating, the warning lights on the dash coming on, or the steering becoming heavy, because none of the accessories work.

At Redford Auto Repair, our technicians can check all the components in your electrical or charging system to find the problem. We offer some of the most affordable rates around while maintaining the highest standard of service for your car. Give us a call to discuss your situation and set up an appointment so we can get your car back on the road for you. We look forward to seeing you.