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If your car can’t keep a charge long enough to drive any distance, there’s a good chance that the problem lies with the alternator. The best way to know for sure is to bring your car to Prestige Tire & Auto Service Center. We are a full service shop forauto repair Kingston NY, and we handle all brands of vehicles. Schedule repairs online.

Sings of Alternator Failure
Your car may hint at alternator failure before the alternator actually dies. If your battery takes a charge and then loses it after a short drive, take it for service immediately. The second sign is the battery light. If it is illuminated while you are driving, the best course of action is to turn off all electrical items such as the AC and radio. Then you should pull over in a safe place as soon as you can. The light indicates that your battery is on the verge of dying, and the car may stop suddenly as it loses the last of the battery’s power. 
Diagnosing An Alternator Problem
It could be the battery, cable connections, the starter, or the alternator. Of these, alternator failure is most dangerous because you may be driving when it happens. Prestige mechanics will check your battery connections first. Sometimes these important cables are the culprit, and it is an easy matter to clean them and fix the charging problem. Also, we will check your alternator belt to determine if it is the culprit. As needed, Prestige will perform a charging system test. If there is a problem with the alternator’s internal components, this test will identify it. 
How an Alternator Works
The alternator's job is to maintain the battery's charge at or near 12 amps. As you drive, the alternator belt spins a pulley which activates the alternator’s internal rotor. As the rotor spins, it generates electricity which is captured by a diode assembly. The diode changes the current from AC, the standard electrical current, to DC, which is the current used by batteries. Finally, a voltage regulator maintains the alternator’s voltage at the correct level to charge the battery without burning it up!

For alternator repair, you can trust the experts at Prestige Tire & Auto Service Center. We want to be your one-stop shop for auto repair Kingston NY. Find out about service specials.

Written on Tuesday, March 17, 2015 by Permalink |