![]() Fuzzy or Whining SoundsĬompromised batteries and alternators are associated with this indicator. Similarly, an inexplicable electrical draw is almost automatically a sign of a defective battery. ![]() ![]() The smell of rubber is often part of the signs of a bad alternator. For instance, smoke coming from the hood is better associated with starter issues. Thankfully, some signs lean towards a specific cause more than others. Any of the three can trigger unusual engine noises, hesitation, oddly behaving lights, and intermittent starting. The symptom is intertwined with many other indicators that can trace back to one of the three causes. However, things can be a little bit tricky when dealing with cranking issues. Whether or not your car engine experiences a temperature drop, repetitive starting difficulties are a cause for concern and often attributed to a starter issue, a failing alternator, or an undercharged battery.įor pre-loved units, it could also happen that challenges with cranking are linked to a battery with an incorrect CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) rating or signal disruptions from the starter system to the ECM. This way, you can determine if your car behavior is out of whack. It is important to understand how your alternator and other electricals normally operate. Certain situations – like when it suddenly rains – may cause your alternator output to go beyond its normal range, triggering the same symptom. This is not to say that split-second blinking lights always mean a compromised alternator. But if the same flickers for a split second before going away, chances are you have an impending alternator problem in its early stages. Normally, a battery warning light that has been flashing for a while would not point to anything in particular. Flickering Gaugesĭepending on your vehicle make and model, your battery/alternator warning light may display as a battery icon, “ALT,” or “GEN.” More often than not, people assume that this light equates to bad car battery symptoms – not realizing that flickering lights may help pinpoint a specific problem.ĭo not get me wrong – flickering for a long time versus flickering almost momentarily are different in what they signify. The reason is that multiple factors outside the confines of your car’s electrical and charging systems can set off the CEL – not just a failing battery or alternator. In instances where only the Check Engine Light illuminates, it will be best to get fault code readings using a high-spec OBD-II tool like the 2022 Newest FOXWELL NT604 Elite OBD2 Scanner (view on Amazon). If the first two components check out, you may be dealing with a defective voltage regulator or ill-fitted/rusted battery-alternator connections. Hence, you will need to test to determine if the problem source is a bad alternator or battery. Nonetheless, the battery warning light (whether blinking or not) signifies a potential charging problem in your vehicle. Whether it is steady, flashing, or accompanied by an activated Check Engine Light has nothing to do with specifying which of the three is its underlying cause. Activated CEL or Battery Warning LightĪn illuminated battery warning light can mean a broken alternator belt, a failing alternator, or damaged battery cells. But ultimately, you can outsource addressing these pain points to a trusted mechanic if you are uncomfortable with DIY. The same goes for rectifying identified root causes.įor some of the symptoms, performing a carbon pile alternator test or using a multimeter does the trick. Corroded, loose, or broken terminals and connectorsĭetermining the problem source for each varies in difficulty and partly depends on one’s mechanical inclination and familiarity with telltale signs.Belt squeals during/after startup or while driving.On the contrary, a few signs are specific to a given component, such as overbright lights.įor a more detailed list, here are 13 of the most common bad battery vs bad alternator symptoms: Let’s look at these two components and the similarities/differences in their defect indicators.īad alternator and battery symptoms are generally similar, including illuminated dash lights and the battery warning indicator, odd car noises, and erratic starting behaviors. Some of these components even have overlapping failure markers – as is the case between car batteries and alternators. ![]() Vehicles have interesting systems and components, and the same can be said of their symptoms when they fail. Disclosure: We may get commissions for purchases made through links in this post.
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