What is an alternator and why do I need one?

Your alternator makes electricity to start and run your engine and all of the electrical systems in your vehicle. That’s everything from the on-board computers to the turn signals. And of course there is the entertainment system, seat heaters, power window, and everything you plug into the power outlets. After your alternator makes enough electricity to do all that, it recharges your battery with what’s left over.

When you constantly have a low or dead battery, the alternator is usually a prime suspect. However, the alternator is just one component of the starting/charging system, and a problem with any of the other components could be the actual cause.

In addition to the alternator, the charging/starting system includes the battery, starter, serpentine belt system and all of the electrical cables that connect them. Your Spectrum Car Care Center technician has a systematic process of testing components and connections to get to the source of your problem. The initial symptoms determine where to begin the diagnostic process, and he follows the procedure until he tracks down the culprit.

For example, Spectrum Car Care Center diagnostic tests could reveal that the alternator is not generating enough electricity to keep the battery charged. Is the alternator bad? Not necessarily. A worn serpentine belt tensioner could be allowing the belt that spins the alternator to slip. So the perfectly good alternator is not spinning at the proper speed. The solution is replacing the serpentine belt system – not the alternator.

Call us for more details or to answer any questions.

 

Spectrum Car Care Center
2341 South Val Vista Drive
Gilbert, AZ 89295
(480) 821-1455
http://www.spectrumcarcare.com
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Is the alternator bad? Not necessarily. A worn serpentine belt tensioner could be allowing the belt that spins the alternator to slip. So the perfectly good alternator is not spinning at the proper speed. The solution is replacing the serpentine belt system \u2013 not the alternator.\n\nCall us for more details or to answer any questions.\n\n\u00a0\n\nSpectrum Car Care Center\n2341 South Val Vista Drive\nGilbert, AZ 89295\n(480) 821-1455\nhttp://www.spectrumcarcare.com", "nough electricity to keep the battery charged. Is the alternator bad? Not necessarily. A worn serpentine belt tensioner could be allowing the belt that spins the alternator to slip. So the perfectly good alternator is not spinning at the proper speed. The solution is replacing the serpentine belt system \u2013 not the alternator.\n\nCall us for more details or to answer any questions.\n\n\u00a0\n\nSpectrum Car Care Center\n2341 South Val Vista Drive\nGilbert, AZ 89295\n(480) 821-1455\nhttp://www.spectrumcarcare.com", "nough electricity to keep the battery charged. Is the alternator bad? Not necessarily. A worn serpentine belt tensioner could be allowing the belt that spins the alternator to slip. So the perfectly good alternator is not spinning at the proper speed. The solution is replacing the serpentine belt system \u2013 not the alternator.\n\nCall us for more details or to answer any questions.\n\n\u00a0\n\nSpectrum Car Care Center\n2341 South Val Vista Drive\nGilbert, AZ 89295\n(480) 821-1455\nhttp://www.spectrumcarcare.com", "nough electricity to keep the battery charged. Is the alternator bad? Not necessarily. A worn serpentine belt tensioner could be allowing the belt that spins the alternator to slip. So the perfectly good alternator is not spinning at the proper speed. The solution is replacing the serpentine belt system \u2013 not the alternator.\n\nCall us for more details or to answer any questions.\n\n\u00a0\n\nSpectrum Car Care Center\n2341 South Val Vista Drive\nGilbert, AZ 89295\n(480) 821-1455\nhttp://www.spectrumcarcare.com", "nough electricity to keep the battery charged. Is the alternator bad? Not necessarily. A worn serpentine belt tensioner could be allowing the belt that spins the alternator to slip. So the perfectly good alternator is not spinning at the proper speed. The solution is replacing the serpentine belt system \u2013 not the alternator.\n\nCall us for more details or to answer any questions.\n\n\u00a0\n\nSpectrum Car Care Center\n2341 South Val Vista Drive\nGilbert, AZ 89295\n(480) 821-1455\nhttp://www.spectrumcarcare.com", "nough electricity to keep the battery charged. Is the alternator bad? Not necessarily. A worn serpentine belt tensioner could be allowing the belt that spins the alternator to slip. So the perfectly good alternator is not spinning at the proper speed. The solution is replacing the serpentine belt system \u2013 not the alternator.\n\nCall us for more details or to answer any questions.\n\n\u00a0\n\nSpectrum Car Care Center\n2341 South Val Vista Drive\nGilbert, AZ 89295\n(480) 821-1455\nhttp://www.spectrumcarcare.com"]}