All cars have parts that are bound to wear down at some point. The alternator is a crucial part of your car’s electrical system (transferring energy from the crankshaft to other parts of the vehicle). Still, the average alternator only lasts around seven years or between 100,000 and 150,000 miles. At Rapids Honda in Coon Rapids, MN, we’re here to serve all your alternator needs, and we invite you to bring your vehicle in if you live in Anoka, Andover, Brooklyn Park, Ham Lake, or any of the nearby areas.
Many Hondas and other vehicles come equipped with a warning light in the dashboard (called “ALT” or “GEN”) that will come on or flash if there’s trouble. This makes it easy to know that you need alternator service, but the only way to determine exactly what is wrong with it is to have the car looked at by a professional.
Since the alternator is part of the electrical system, it can cause problems when acting up. Your headlights may flicker or appear dim, for example. It is especially time to bring your vehicle in for service if you have already replaced the lights or bulbs, and they still aren’t performing as expected. The dashboard lights may also start dimming or flickering.
A rough or slow start isn’t always indicative of something being wrong with the battery or spark plugs. It could be your alternator failing to keep the battery charged up and ready to go or preventing the spark plugs from receiving the charge they need. If the battery goes dead, it’s a good idea to have the alternator checked when you’re replacing it to ensure the problem doesn’t keep happening.
Give our service team at Rapids Honda a call to ask about alternator service or schedule an appointment online!. Let us know any specific problems you have been experiencing so that we will be able to identify the issue more quickly. The good news is that many alternator issues are relatively quick fixes that require simple part replacement or calibration. However, letting them go on too long without service can lead to more extensive fixes and may even cause other parts of your vehicle to wear down more quickly as well (like the battery). If you have any questions, just ask!
1950 Gateway Dr NW, Coon Rapids, MN 55448