Tuffy Sells Tires
Fast, Friendly Service
All Major & Minor Repairs
Convenient Financing Options Available
Complete Auto Repair
April 16, 2023
If you notice that your headlights are flickering at night, that's something to pay attention to. While there could be many different things that could cause that problem, one possibility is your vehicle's alternator.
The alternator takes mechanical energy from the engine and turns it into electricity, in essence a generator. The current it makes charges the battery and supplies power to the vehicle's electrical systems. An alternator is made up of several different parts: a pulley, magnets, coil wires, brushes and a voltage regulator. While your vehicle is running, these parts get a good workout and, after time, they begin to wear out.
Other symptoms of a failing alternator include your vehicle's lights dimming, the power windows going up and down more slowly than they used to, your power seats not moving quite as fast as before.
Another sign of a worn out alternator is engine stalling. Vehicles with fuel injection require a certain amount of power, and when an alternator is going bad, your engine could stall because the alternator isn't cranking out enough of it.
An alternator on its last legs can also fail to charge your battery properly. Sometimes your battery isn't getting enough charge from the alternator and will go dead. It also can be the opposite problem. The battery is getting too much power and will cause the battery to get hot. Your vehicle may give you a clue on the instrument panel. If you see any of these warning lights, take note: Check Engine, ALT, CHARGE or one that looks like a picture of a battery. If that light is on, it's time to have your service facility give it a look.
As mentioned earlier, there are other components of your vehicle's electrical system that can fail, such as a worn out serpentine belt or a malfunctioning voltage regulator. A reputable service facility has diagnostic tools to pinpoint the causes of your problems. And when your issues are fixed, your electrical system will be back to its hard-working self. You'll get a real charge out of it!
Tuffy Lorain
1400 Broadway
Lorain, Ohio 44052
440-245-2823
https://www.tuffylorain.com
June 29, 2025
Your vehicle's brakes wear out. It's inevitable. You'll notice it when you step on the brake pedal and feel it harder to stop, or there's vibration when you are braking. Most modern vehicles have disc brakes that each use a brake pad that press on a disc (disc brakes!) called a rotor. The fric... More
June 23, 2025
Seems like these days, we're hearing about more and more electric or hybrid vehicles. Keep in mind that conventional gasoline internal combustion vehicles have important electrical components, too, and it's important to make sure they're operating at their peak. In a vehicle with a gasoline engi... More
June 16, 2025
In the sloppy cold weather months, you might be tempted to pick up an all-weather mat and throw it on top of the mats you already have in your vehicle. After all, double protection is better, right? In this case, wrong. Here's why. It's important to keep the accelerator and brake pedals clear so ... More
