Ask your local auto service center for recommendations. Ignition – Headlights turn on but the car won’t start? You might need a new ignition switch, which is relatively affordable. Most new batteries can last at least five years, though you should always reference the “replacement date” labeled on the battery.Īlthough a dead alternator or bad battery is probably your issue, other components may be the problem. Replacement date has passed – Car batteries have come a long way over the years. This smell is usually similar to rotten eggs or Sulphur and can invade your cabin through the vents. Rotten egg smell – Batteries release gas when they’re bad. Slow-cranking engine – If your car does eventually start-and keeps running-you may have a failing battery, not a failing alternator.īulging battery case – Exposure to extreme cold-heat fluctuations can cause your car battery to swell up.Ĭorrosion on terminals – Heavy bits of corrosion or rust is a classic sign that your battery should be replaced. Common signs of a dead car battery include: If your vehicle won’t start in the morning, your car battery could very well be the culprit. If the battery gets the green light, you know to inspect the alternator next. The first step toward diagnosing a bad alternator is to test your battery with a multimeter or visit your local mechanic or dealership. Next thing you know, you’re stuck in the bank drive-thru lane with a car that won’t even turn over. At first, you might stall once at a stop sign. Your car stalls more and more frequently – Failing alternators will cause your car to stutter and stop as it continues its downward spiral toward the junkyard. Similarly, bad alternators can often produce grinding, shrieking, or clanking sounds from under the hood. The added friction will ultimately cause the rubber on your car’s belts to deteriorate, and we all know what burning rubber smells like-yuck. If your alternator seizes, so too will some of those pulleys and belts. You hear unusual sounds or smell unusual smells – The alternator works with various components in your car, including various pulley systems and belts. If your car battery light comes on, your vehicle’s onboard computer has detected that there are irregularities in the voltage, but this doesn’t necessarily mean you have a dead battery! Oftentimes, the problem lies with a faulty alternator. A battery light will illuminate in your dashboard anytime there is an issue with the battery’s charge. The “Check Battery” lights are always on – This is a common source of confusion amongst car owners. The electrical charging system in your car isn’t generating enough juice to keep the lights on, quite literally, meaning you’ll notice flickers when you press the accelerator, use the stereo, roll down the windows, plug in your phone, or perform any number of actions related to your car’s electronics. Your headlights and cabin lights are funky – Dim or flickering lights are a common symptom of a failed alternator. If you’re constantly having to ask for a jump from your neighbor or coworker, it’s likely that your alternator is failing. You must jump start your vehicle regularly – An alternator’s job is to keep the battery charged. But if your alternator is bad or failing, you’ll often see the following signs far in advance of your nightmarish morning. But is it a dead car battery, bad alternator, or something else entirely?Ī broken alternator is all too common in the world of non-starting cars. You panic, smacking the steering wheel with the might of a thousand storms, cursing out the engineers who made your grown-up fears come true. A faint guh-guh-guh sounds off from under the hood. As an enlightened adult, your worst nightmare is probably a bit more pragmatic: like missing work because your car won’t start. When you were a kid, running out of Fruit Loops was your biggest fear. Pre-Owned Vehicles Show Pre-Owned Vehicles.SUVs / Crossovers Show SUVs / Crossovers.