4 Signs Your Mitsubishi Needs an Alternator Repair

Your alternator has a very important job in your car. It charges up your battery while you drive. Because your battery helps get your car started and powers all of your electrical accessories, you’ll notice some serious problems with your car if your alternator isn’t charging it. When these problems arise, you need to head to the Mitsubishi dealer for an alternator repair.

1. Your Headlights Are Too Bright or Too Dim

When your battery isn’t being charged by your alternator, it won’t have enough power to keep your headlights as bright as they should be. Because of this, your headlights will be dim, and they might even flicker. Your headlights may also get brighter when you rev your engine. This is a sign that your alternator is producing some current, but it can’t keep the battery fully charged at all times.

2. Your Electric Accessories Malfunction

Most accessories in your car are powered by the battery and, therefore, may malfunction if the alternator isn’t keeping your battery charged. Pay attention to how quickly your windows move up and down and how hot your heated seats get.

Keep an eye on how fast your phone charges when plugged into a USB port in the car and look for signs of your infotainment system slowing down. If any of these parts are malfunctioning, then you may have a problem with your alternator.

3. You’re Having Trouble Starting the Car

You may have trouble starting your car if your battery isn’t fully charged. Sometimes it may just take a little extra time for the engine to turn over when you turn on the ignition, but you might also be completely unable to start your car. You’ll hear a clicking noise, but it’ll seem like the battery is completely dead.

Take a friend with a running vehicle, grab a pair of jumper cables, and jump-start your car. Observe: if your car stays on, it likely signals a healthy alternator, pointing to a faulty battery. However, if your car turns off again after it’s jumpstarted, then your alternator isn’t charging the battery, and therefore, your alternator is malfunctioning.

4. Your Alternator Starts Making Noises

Cars make many different noises, and you get used to these noises over time. This makes it easy to notice when the car starts making a new noise. Your alternator belt can become misaligned, and this can cause your car to make a whining or groaning sound. So, when you hear this noise, you know it’s time to head to the dealer to get the alternator fixed.

Come to San Jose Mitsubishi in San Jose, CA if you’re having problems with your alternator or other parts of your electrical system. We also handle repairs and maintenance on all the other systems in your car.

Tags: Alternator Trouble, Mitsubishi Repair in San Jose CA
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