Alternator Repair & Electrical Maintenance

Your car's electrical system is responsible for everything from charging your battery for the next start to running your accessories, powering onboard computers and providing spark for your engine. United Tire & Service offers comprehensive maintenance and repairs to make sure your vehicle's electrical system is working correctly and continues to do so.

Your vehicle's electrical system is comprised of the battery, alternator, starter, fuses, relays and miles of wiring. Failure at any point in the system can wreak havoc on everything from performance and fuel efficiency to engine operation and even erratic accessory behavior.

The main component in your car's electrical system is the alternator. This belt driven device is a small generator, making electricity to run all of your car's electrical functions while charging up your battery. When your alternator fails, the battery takes over and runs everything until it is out of juice. Alternators spin at thousands of revolutions per minute in a hot environment. Belt tension issues, drive belt tension issues and wear and tear can all cause your alternator to fail.

Your battery is also a major player in the electrical system. Although the main job of the battery is to start the car and power the accessories when the engine is not running, internal damage and external corrosion can mean a drop in operating voltage. When this occurs, the many computer control units in your ride can go on the fritz, manifesting as hard starting, accessory failure, starting problems and more.

Down the line there are wires, fuses and relays that distribute electricity to accessories, the engine, computers, sensors and safety equipment.

As you can see, the electrical system touches a lot of other systems in the car, acting something like your vehicle's nervous system.

Signs You Have a Bad Alternator

Some symptoms you may notice when your electrical system is on the fritz include:

• Hard starting or failure for the engine to turn over
• Dim lights or lights that flicker or change intensity
• Accessories such as locks, wipers and entertainment that actuate themselves or perform erratically
• A warning light, check engine light or warning message on the dash
• Engine failure while driving

What Do We Do During The Service?

If you notice any of these symptoms or just want to verify that everything is in good working order bring your car in to United Tire & Service for a full check-up on this complicated system. During your inspection we will visually inspect and test the following:

• Battery condition, connections and hold-down hardware
• Starter condition, cables and fasteners
• Starter draw to determine how much current is required to turn your engine
• Alternator condition, drive belt condition and tension, fasteners and brackets, voltage output check
• Fuse and relay check (when related components are malfunctioning)

This comprehensive check can find problems you may have already noticed or identify issues that could lead to a system failure. Either way, we will make only necessary repairs after discussing the diagnosis and the fix with you and the associated cost. As always, we will be mindful of your budget should a repair be required.

United Tire & Service Offers Automotive Alternator Repair in PA

Whether or not we find an issue, we will help you establish a regular maintenance plan so you will have a path forward to maintain your electrical system and avoid future problems. Call United Tire & Service today and make an appointment to have your car, truck or SUV electrical system inspected today. We're proud to be your local provider of tires and auto repair services.