Garland Auto Repair

A healthy alternator keeps your battery charged and every electrical system steady while you drive. When it weakens, the symptoms creep in slowly, then pile up all at once. Maybe the lights flicker when you stop at a light, or accessories cut out on a rainy night with the heater and wipers running. Catching the signs early prevents the inconvenient situation and protects the battery, the starter, and sensitive electronics. Early Clues Your Alternator Is Struggling A weak alternator often shows up as dim headlights at idle that brighten when you rev the engine. Power windows move slower than usual, the radio flickers when you turn on the rear defroster, or the blower changes speed on its own. If the car cranks normally in the morning yet needs a jump after a night of short trips with heavy accessory use, the battery may be fine, and the alternator may not be keeping up. What the Alternator Does During Every Drive The battery starts the engine, then ... read more