{"id":655,"date":"2020-10-28T00:00:32","date_gmt":"2020-10-28T07:00:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\/blog\/?p=655"},"modified":"2025-10-10T01:25:38","modified_gmt":"2025-10-10T08:25:38","slug":"how-to-diagnose-a-faulty-alternator","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-diagnose-a-faulty-alternator\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Signs of a Bad Alternator"},"content":{"rendered":"<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\">\n<html><body><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 8<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><style>.kadence-column655_0f2025-69 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column655_0f2025-69 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column655_0f2025-69 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column655_0f2025-69 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column655_0f2025-69 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column655_0f2025-69 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column655_0f2025-69{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column655_0f2025-69 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column655_0f2025-69 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column655_0f2025-69 inner-column-1 qk-look-widget\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-row ultp-block-808a8f  qk-main-wrap\"><div class=\"ultp-row-wrapper\"><div class=\"ultp-row-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-ultimate-post-column ultp-block-56cfec\"><div class=\"ultp-column-wrapper\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading655_d202da-2d, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading655_d202da-2d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading655_d202da-2d\"]{text-align:center;font-size:20px;font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading655_d202da-2d mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading655_d202da-2d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading655_d202da-2d\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-family:Inter;font-weight:500;font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading655_d202da-2d img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading655_d202da-2d[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading655_d202da-2d\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<div class=\"kt-adv-heading655_d202da-2d summary-title wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading655_d202da-2d\"><span>Summary<\/span><\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The alternator provides electrical power and charges the battery while your vehicle&rsquo;s engine is running.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You can check the alternator for issues by performing a jumpstart test, measuring the charging system output with a digital multimeter, or asking a professional mechanic to test it with specialist equipment.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Common causes of a bad alternator are fluid leaking on the part, bad driving habits, and extended exposure to corrosive substances like salt and water.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Symptoms of a failing alternator are dim or overly bright lights, a dead battery. strange noises, electrical problems, illuminated warning lights, and engine stalls.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>You&rsquo;re driving down the road, listening to your favorite song when, all of a sudden, the charging system warning light pops up on the dash. What does it mean? It&rsquo;s just one of several symptoms that could point to a bad alternator. The symptoms of a bad alternator might also help you identify what went wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Bad Alternator Symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Powering your vehicle&rsquo;s electronics isn&rsquo;t solely the job of the battery. The alternator provides the necessary electrical power whenever your car&rsquo;s engine is running. Plus, the alternator charges the battery at the same time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Alternator operation depends on a phenomenon called electromagnetic induction. When the engine is running, the drive belt turns a pulley on the alternator. That pulley causes the rotor inside the alternator to spin, which, in turn, creates a magnetic field that induces an electrical current in the alternator&rsquo;s stator windings. At the same time, field current flowing through a set of slip rings creates alternating magnetic poles on the rotor. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"678\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/man-testing-an-old-car-alternator-1024x678.jpg\" alt=\"testing a car alternator\" class=\"wp-image-659\" style=\"width:1024px;height:678px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/man-testing-an-old-car-alternator.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/man-testing-an-old-car-alternator-300x199.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/06\/man-testing-an-old-car-alternator-768x509.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">The alternator provides the necessary electrical power whenever your car&rsquo;s engine is running.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Because the magnetic fields are alternating, the alternator produces alternating current (AC). But there&rsquo;s a problem: The battery and the rest of the car&rsquo;s electrical system use direct current (DC). That&rsquo;s why the alternator contains diodes, which are like electrical one-way check valves, to convert AC current into DC current. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If the alternator produces too little voltage, it will not be charging the battery properly. But if it makes too much voltage, the battery and electrical system may be damaged. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A voltage regulator manages alternator output to prevent overcharging or undercharging. The regulator may be located inside the alternator, or it may be a standalone component. On many modern vehicles, a computer (often referred to as the powertrain control module) regulates charging system output.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what are the symptoms of a bad alternator, anyhow? These are the most common: <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dim or Overly Bright Lights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An alternator (or a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/bad-voltage-regulator-symptoms-testing-replacement-cost-more\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"faulty external voltage regulator\">faulty external voltage regulator<\/a>) that is overcharging can cause your car&rsquo;s exterior lights to be overly bright. The bulbs may also burn out more quickly than normal.<br> On the other hand, an alternator that is undercharging can cause your car&rsquo;s exterior lights to be dimmer than normal.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Dead Battery<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A dead battery is one of the possible symptoms of a bad alternator. As mentioned earlier, the alternator charges the battery while it supplies the rest of the car with electricity. If the alternator is starting to go bad, it cannot charge the battery as efficiently. The battery then doesn&rsquo;t store enough power for starting the car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"rsi-card\">\n  <div class=\"rsi-thumb\">\n    <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/d_noimage.jpg\/b_white\/e_sharpen,e_auto_brightness,e_auto_contrast\/f_auto\/q_auto:eco,dpr_auto\/w_873,h_873,c_pad\/images\/ac3351305_1\">\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"rsi-info\">\n    <span class=\"rsi-title\">The Best Alternator Brands: Dependable Replacements That Keep You Driving<\/span>\n    <span class=\"rsi-desc\">See which alternator brands are best for your vehicle. Learn about application, amperage, and warranty, and find budget-friendly replacement brands.<\/span>\n    <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/the-best-alternator-brands-dependable-replacements-that-keep-you-driving-quickref\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Discover Your Options\">Discover Your Options<\/a>\n  <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Alternator Noise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A whining or grinding sound coming from your alternator while your car is in operation is a bad sign. The noise usually indicates bad bearings inside the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/alternator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"alternator\">alternator<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Electrical Issues<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Your car contains an array of electronics, all of which rely on charging system voltage. As such, a bad alternator can cause a myriad of electrical issues, especially on modern, computer-controlled vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Warning Lights<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Depending on your car, a set of warning lights in your instrument cluster can warn you of impending failures. A light you should always watch for is the charging system warning light (AKA <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/why-is-my-battery-light-on\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"battery light\">battery light<\/a>), or the bright red warning light in the shape of a rectangular car battery.<br> Some vehicles even have &ldquo;ALT&rdquo; lit when the alternator is about to fail. This serves as the most obvious warning, indicating that it&rsquo;s time for you to take your car to your trusted mechanic for repairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Also, without a proper voltage supply from the alternator, your car&rsquo;s electronics, such as computers and sensors, won&rsquo;t be working correctly. This can trigger the check engine light.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Vehicle Stalls<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Many parts of your car&mdash;including fundamentals, such as the ignition and fuel systems&mdash;won&rsquo;t work right without proper charging system voltage. This means they aren&rsquo;t getting enough power from the alternator. As a result, your vehicle may stall while driving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jumpstarting-car-battery-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"jumpstarting car battery\" class=\"wp-image-7487\" style=\"width:1024px;height:683px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jumpstarting-car-battery-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jumpstarting-car-battery-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jumpstarting-car-battery-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jumpstarting-car-battery-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jumpstarting-car-battery-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/02\/jumpstarting-car-battery.jpg 1650w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">If you can jumpstart your car but dies shortly after, then your alternator may be faulty.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Trouble Starting Your Car<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>&ldquo;How do I tell if my alternator is going bad?&rdquo; is a common question that can yield different answers. For one, you&rsquo;re likely to have trouble starting your car.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A faulty alternator will fail to charge the battery, which means you&rsquo;ll likely have a hard time starting your engine. When turning the key in the ignition, you might notice an unusual clicking noise instead of the familiar sound of your engine running.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Smell of Burning Rubber<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Over time, the alternator&rsquo;s drive belt can wear due to constant tension and exposure to the engine&rsquo;s hot temperature. Eventually, it&rsquo;ll give off a foul smell of burning rubber.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The burning smell can also come from damaged wires. When too much electricity flows through the alternator&rsquo;s wires, they tend to heat up. In severe cases, they&rsquo;ll burn up and emit an unpleasant odor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Malfunctioning Accessories<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When your power windows or seat warmers respond slowly, there&rsquo;s a big chance that your alternator is bad. A faulty alternator won&rsquo;t be able to power your vehicle&rsquo;s electronics, causing some of your accessories to work intermittently. In some cases, this can even include your speedometer and other gauges on your dashboard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Most modern vehicles are usually programmed to prioritize certain electrical systems above others, which means your powertrain control module (PCM) knows which features to turn off first. For example, your radio is likely to go out first before the headlights stop working.<\/p>\n\n\n\n    <div class=\"perspective-widget\">\n        <div class=\"pt-child-wrap\">\n\n            <div class=\"pt-col-item1\">\n                <figure class=\"aligncenter size-large\">\n                        <img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/dpr_auto,f_auto,q_auto\/carparts\/blog\/plugins\/amp\/avatar-comments\" class=\"com-thumb\" alt=\"Avatar of CarParts.com Research Team\" width=\"100\" height=\"100\">\n                <\/figure>\n                <p>\n                    <strong>CarParts.com Research Team<\/strong> \n                    <span>User<\/span>\n                <\/p>\n            <\/div>\n\n            <div class=\"pt-col-item2\">\n                <div class=\"protip-desc\">\n                    <div class=\"perspective-help-tip\">   \n                        <p>There&rsquo;s more than one way to look at an issue. &ldquo;Community Perspectives&rdquo; highlight authentic personal viewpoints and real-life experiences by the CarParts.com community, including our readers, experts, and product specialists, among others. This can help you make better informed decisions about your car.<\/p>\n                    <\/div>\n                    <div class=\"perspective-help-caption tooltip\"> \n                        <h2>CarParts.com Community Perspectives<\/h2>\n                        <p>There are a variety of reasons why your car&rsquo;s voltmeter might be jumping around. You could have an engine performance problem causing an unstable idle, an alternator not putting out a constant output, a circuit problem, or a defective gauge. Determining which is to blame will require you or your mechanic to do some troubleshooting.<\/p>\n                        <div class=\"cta-btn\">\n                            <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-diagnose-a-faulty-alternator\/#commentform\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"Jump to Discussions\">Jump to Discussions<\/a>\n                        <\/div>\n                    <\/div>\n                <\/div>\n            <\/div>\n\n        <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to Tell If Your Alternator is Bad<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Many symptoms of a bad alternator are also shared with a bad battery. Are you trying to determine whether the battery or alternator is to blame for your car problems? Here&rsquo;s a quick and easy tip: try jumpstarting your vehicle. If you can jumpstart your car and it stays running, chances are, you&rsquo;re dealing with a bad battery. On the other hand, if your car starts but dies shortly after, then your alternator may be faulty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Have a Professional Test the Alternator with Dedicated Equipment <\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, the &ldquo;jumpstart&rdquo; test isn&rsquo;t conclusive. If you want a definitive answer as to whether your alternator is working properly, you&rsquo;ll want to have it checked with a digital charging system analyzer or a carbon pile load tester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Professional repair shops have such equipment, as do many auto parts stores. Best of all, most auto parts stores will test your charging system with the tool for free. You don&rsquo;t even need to remove the alternator from your car&mdash;the tool allows for in-vehicle testing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Check Charging System Output Yourself with a Digital Multimeter<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The best way to test the alternator is with a charging system analyzer or carbon pile tester. But you can perform a basic charging system output test (using a digital multimeter set to DC volts) at home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To test the charging system, connect the black meter lead to the negative battery terminal and the red meter lead to the positive battery terminal. With the engine off, the battery should have a base reading of at least 12.2 volts. Otherwise, the charging system test will not be accurate. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Once you&rsquo;ve determined that the battery has a proper charge, start the vehicle and increase engine speed to around 1,500-2000 RPM. If the alternator is charging, generally, the reading on your meter should be around 13.5 to 15.0 volts with all of the lights and accessories turned off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Consult a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/why-you-should-always-consult-a-repair-manual\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"repair manual\">repair manual<\/a> for the exact specification for your vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A reading that falls significantly outside of that range may indicate a problem with the alternator, regulator (if the regulator is external), or battery cables. A <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/serpentine-belt-symptoms-replacement-cost-and-more\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"slipped or glazed serpentine belt\">slipped or glazed serpentine belt<\/a> could also be to blame. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here&rsquo;s a helpful video to show you how it&rsquo;s done:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to Test an Alternator\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/LGB6ZEjGm7Q?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>You can also check this video to get an idea of how alternators work:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How Alternators Work | CarParts.com Parts Explained\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/4h9jBGUgkvE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Causes an Alternator to Go Bad?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Most alternators fail due to time, miles, and use. There are, however, a few issues that can cause an alternator to fail prematurely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fluid Leaking on the Alternator<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Leaking fluids are a common cause of early alternator failure. Engine oil or power steering fluid dripping down onto the alternator can cause it to malfunction early on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Driving Habits<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The way you operate your vehicle can also have an effect on your alternator. Say, for example, your vehicle spends a lot of time idling with many of the accessories (such as the lights) turned on. That can put an extra load on the alternator, causing it to create a lot of internal heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As a result, it may wear out prematurely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Exposure to Moisture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, an alternator that&rsquo;s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/where-is-the-alternator-located\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"located near the bottom of the engine\">located near the bottom of the engine<\/a> may be subject to water and salt intrusion. Both issues can lead to the component&rsquo;s early demise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">FAQ<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can a car run with a bad alternator?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A car can only run for a short time with a failed alternator. The alternator charges the battery when the engine is running and, once the battery is depleted, the vehicle will die and fail to restart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Driving a car with a bad alternator can damage several electrical components, such as the fuel pump, water pump, and power steering. Damaging any of these parts can cause several systems to fail and lead to an expensive repair bill.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How long does an alternator last?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>An alternator is designed to last the life of the vehicle&mdash;but that doesn&rsquo;t always happen. In some cases, the alternator may require replacement before the car is ready for the junkyard. That usually happens somewhere between the 100,000 and 150,000-mile mark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can you jumpstart a car with a bad alternator?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s possible to jumpstart a vehicle with a bad alternator as long as the vehicle&rsquo;s battery still has some juice left. Unfortunately, once it starts, you&rsquo;re running on borrowed time. As mentioned, once the battery runs out of power, your vehicle will stop running and not restart until a new alternator is put in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can You Replace a Bad Alternator Yourself?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you&rsquo;re handy with tools, you can replace a bad alternator. Some parts stores can even diagnose your faulty alternator while you wait at the counter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A simple remove-and-replace operation can take a few hours though. Plus, if you aren&rsquo;t confident in your abilities, you might cause more harm than good. Bring your vehicle to a professional mechanic if you want to play it safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Check out these videos on how to replace an alternator:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to replace the Alternator 2009-2014 Ford F150 &#9889;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/h3Fe1FjtLW4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"How to replace the Alternator 2009-2018 Dodge RAM 1500 &#9889;\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/Y3SyX8ndX10?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Find a Compatible Alternator For Your Car<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>It&rsquo;s best to stop driving your car until you&rsquo;ve replaced the faulty alternator. Otherwise, you might have to repair or replace additional parts like the battery, which relies on the alternator to charge its depleted cells. Good thing at CarParts.com, you can easily find an alternator that fits your application.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/blogv2prod.wpenginepowered.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener nofollow\" aria-label=\"CarParts.com\">CarParts.com<\/a> understands your need for compatible parts and accessories, so we&rsquo;re happy to help you find the right alternator. Plug your vehicle&rsquo;s year, make, model, and engine into our website&rsquo;s built-in vehicle selector, and you&rsquo;ll see our direct-fit products. Once you&rsquo;ve found the alternator that meets your application, you can order on your mobile device in the comfort of your home. Our professional customer service team is available 24\/7, so don&rsquo;t hesitate to ask about our products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For competitively priced alternators that you can rely on, look no further than CarParts.com. View our extensive selection of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/alternator\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" aria-label=\"alternators\">alternators<\/a> and enjoy significant savings when you order one today.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Products Mentioned in this Guide<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"reusable-productlink\">\n\n<!-- start of editable content -->\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/alternator\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"alternator\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/d_noimage.jpg,h_200,w_200,c_pad,f_auto,q_auto,dpr_auto,e_sharpen\/images\/mpa10216_1\">\n<strong>Alternator<\/strong>\n<\/a>\n\n<a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/battery\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"battery\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/cld.partsimg.com\/image\/upload\/d_noimage.jpg,h_200,w_200,c_pad,f_auto,q_auto,dpr_auto,e_sharpen\/images\/odyods-agm15l_1\">\n<strong>Battery<\/strong>\n<\/a>\n\n<!-- end of editable content -->\n\n<\/div>\n<\/body><\/html>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 8<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span>You&rsquo;re driving down the road, listening to your favorite song when, all of a sudden, the charging system warning light&#8230; <a href=\"https:\/\/www.carparts.com\/blog\/how-to-diagnose-a-faulty-alternator\/\" rel=\"nofollow\">Read More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1651,"featured_media":18611,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[52,3758],"tags":[19],"ppma_author":[2607],"class_list":{"0":"post-655","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-diy","8":"category-electrical-system","9":"tag-alternator","10":"entry"},"acf":{"adrotate_specific_mobile_ad":"","adrotate_specific_desktop_ad":""},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.5 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>6 Signs of a Bad Alternator - In The Garage with CarParts.com<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Think your alternator may be going bad? 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