As the owner of a vehicle, it’s important that you be proactive about preventative maintenance, and take immediate action if you have any reason to believe your vehicle has sustained any damage. One of the most important parts to keep an eye on is the alternator.
The alternator is one of the most crucial vehicle components. It’s responsible for taking mechanical energy and then turning it into available energy to power the vehicle. That energy gets stored in the vehicle’s battery.
If your vehicle has recently had an extended encounter with water in Las Vegas, NV, there’s a chance your alternator could have sustained water damage, as the part is not waterproof. So, if you had to drive your vehicle through a large area of standing water, or if your vehicle was submerged or caught in a flood, it’s important to have the vehicle thoroughly inspected, and have special attention paid to the alternator. You may need to make some repairs for your vehicle to be safe to go back out on the road.
Analyzing the alternator
How do you know if you have an alternator problem? While you have your ignition on, there will be a battery light that shows up on the dashboard. There’s a possibility it will come on while you are driving, meaning you need to have the alternator looked at.
There’s also the possibility that the alternator could go bad if you have plates that are not working properly in the vehicle, which can cause the battery or even the entire ignition system to die.
You might see the headlights or dashboard lights start to dim, or even completely go out. This tends to happen while the car is idling. If the engine is turned on, they might get brighter. If you see this happening with your vehicle, this is another sign you might have a bad alternator and should get your vehicle checked out by a mechanic as soon as possible. It could be the alternator, or it could be a sign of a battery that is beginning to fail. In either scenario, having your vehicle checked out is important so you can determine the problem and make the necessary repairs so you don’t end up stranded on the side of the road somewhere.
Ultimately, the general rule for you to follow should be that any time you notice something seems “off” with your vehicle, especially as it relates to the electric power flowing through the system, you should make sure to have a professional take a look. Most vehicle owners can tell that something is wrong, but won’t necessarily be able to determine exactly what the problem is or how to repair it on their own.
If you’re interested in learning more about the potential effects of alternator water damage and how you can fix a water-damaged alternator in Las Vegas, NV, we encourage you to contact the team at Qwest Automotive Service with any questions. We’re eager to assist you in any way we can!