Issaquah Auto Repair

An alternator problem can sometimes catch you off guard because it can come out of nowhere. The car starts, the engine runs, and you assume the battery is handling things the way it always has. Then the lights get a little dimmer, the dashboard does something odd, or the car suddenly feels less steady electrically than it did a few days ago. That is usually the point where the charging system is already falling behind. What The Alternator Is Supposed To Do Once the engine starts, the alternator takes over the job of supplying power to the vehicle and recharging the battery. That means your lights, ignition system, fuel system, blower motor, electronics, and charging system all depend on it working properly while the engine is running. The battery starts the car. The alternator keeps it alive after that. That is why a bad alternator can fool people at first. The car may still crank and start because the battery has enough reserve left. The real trouble begins after ... read more