Blog

4 Telltale Signs of a Failing Alternator in Timmins, ON

Closeup of an engine alternator

There are various signs that can indicate a failing alternator, helping you get ahead of problems by having it diagnosed and replaced before it leaves you stranded. At James Toyota, we are your trusted Toyota dealership for sourcing high-quality parts and accessing dependable service to keep your vehicle running smoothly. Continue reading to learn more about the signs of a failing alternator and reach out to us if you suspect that your vehicle might be in need of repairs.

 

[Service Department] [Book a Service Appointment]

[Contact Us]

You may also want to read about our Automotive Electric Service.

 

4 Telltale Signs of a Failing Alternator


1. Battery Keeps Dying

An obvious sign of a failing alternator is having a healthy battery that keeps on dying often, which also struggles to provide enough power to the vehicle during drives. As the alternator begins to fail, it will provide less and less power to the battery until it runs below the voltage needed to reliably support the electrical systems of your vehicle.

2. Battery Warning Light on Dashboard

As an alternator begins to fail and provide lower recharging than normal, your vehicle’s dashboard will illuminate a battery warning light to indicate that the alternator isn’t functioning as intended. However, that’s not always going to happen, especially if the alternator maintains a reduced level of recharging, making it important to have a professional test it before you go on a long trip.

3. Unusual Noise From the Engine

Sometimes, an alternator might be failing to recharge the battery due to an issue with a pulley that isn’t spinning the alternator properly, causing reduced charging performance. When that happens, you’ll usually hear a loud noise from the engine as the belt spins a worn-out alternator pulley.

4. Dim Headlights

Your vehicle’s headlights should always function regularly during your drives, but if the alternator is not working properly, it will provide lower voltage that can cause electrical issues such as the headlights dimming or turning off randomly during your drives.

Book an Alternator Test Service and Replacement at James Toyota

Don’t leave your vehicle’s reliability to chance and have it looked after by the factory-trained technicians here at James Toyota. From diagnosing your vehicle to fixing it right the first time, you can depend on our dealership to hit the road again with your vehicle, knowing that it has its maintenance and repairs done right. Contact us if you have any questions about failing alternators and let us know if you are experiencing any signs that it might be time for a new replacement.