Alternators Are Like Cell Phone Chargers
Alternators are part of the electrical system on your vehicle and work with the battery to keep your vehicle moving so it can supply power to the car and keep all the lights and electrical systems running.Your favorite mechanic in heels is here to explain how alternators work!I want you all to think of your alternator like a cell phone charger. Your battery is a cell phone. As you use your phone, the battery starts to discharge from 100%. As it gets lower and lower to 1% (big gasp) you begin to change plans in your life to get to a charger. Well, the same goes for your battery on your vehicle. As the power from the battery is used to keep the vehicle running and electrical accessories on, the battery begins to discharge from 100%. If the battery was not connected to the alternator, the battery will die and the vehicle will shut off in 15 minutes or so... could be less.So what happens when the alternator fails and needs to be replaced? The battery on your car will drain down to 1% and the car will cut off! You will need to get the to a shop as soon as possible to replace the alternator. A sign you need an alternator: you are driving down a street or highway minding your business - singing a song and suddenly all the dashboard lights suddenly come on and the vehicle shuts off. Kinda scary.Other alternator facts:They are located under the hood.They are fairly simple to replace on most vehicles, but can be quite expensive. Look to spend at least $350 to change a bad alternator on your vehicle.Alternators are repairable but it actually cost more money to repair a bad alternator than to just replace it with a re-manufactured or brand new one.There is no maintenance done to alternators and they normally fail unexpectedly.The power of an alternator can be checked by a mechanic if you suspect it is dying. Then it can be replaced before you are stranded on the street somewhere.Alternators are turned on and ran by the serpentine belt on the vehicle. If the belt brakes or slips, the alternator will stop working.To learn more about alternators, sign up for a free Girls Auto Clinic Workshop (Philly area)! The next one is August 16th.
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