The alternator generates charge from the movement of your engine. The engine turns, the alternator turns, and this in turn creates power, which is used to keep the battery fully charged.
If the alternator fails, the battery will rapidly lose charge, and be unable to keep powering your vehicle’s electrical systems, causing some of them to start failing and worse still, they could shut down completely.
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Poor maintenance will cause problems with your starter motor. However, this little powerhouse is responsible for the kinetic kick that gets your engine revving and running – and therefore suffers a tremendous amount of stress every time you twist your key in the ignition. So no matter what you do, this part will wear out over time.
The bigger and newer your car, the greater the stress on the starter motor. The longer it goes without trouble, the more likely it is to fail. Remaining aware of the following danger signs can help you avoid serious problems.
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The alternator is an important part of your vehicle’s electrics. It works like an old fashioned dynamo, turning motion into charge that’s used to keep the battery topped up and the electrical systems functioning correctly.
With the big demands on power from the modern car, any problem with the alternator can cause systems like engine management, entertainment, climate control and even the dashboard to work intermittently or perform poorly.
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Should your car’s electrical system experience an overload then the most probable result is a blown fuse. This is usually the result of issues within your car such as a short circuit where a worn cable could be touching the bodywork of the car. Blown fuses may be a little annoying, but they are actually a preventative measure that stops your car from further damage and potentially even catching fire.
How do you know when a fuse is blown? The most obvious sign will be the failure of your electrical appliances in the car, such as the windows ceasing to operate correctly, the car radio stopping or the dashboard lights no longer illuminating properly, without any previous signs of problems or fatigue. Continue reading
The car battery gives your engine the vital kick of energy needed to get started and works in tandem with the electrics when out on the road. Like everything in life, this essential piece of auto equipment won’t last forever and when the death throes kick in, such as the engine not turning over or when the headlights start dimming, it’s time to start looking for a replacement.
Thankfully batteries are designed to be replaced. They are easy to access in 90% of cars and only slightly tricky in the remaining 10%, making this an ideal project for even the most novice mechanical minds out there. And to help make the task even easier, why not consult this simple 6-point guide?
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The indicator stalk is the part of the car’s control systems that is used to control your vehicles indication lights. It is usually mounted on the steering column, giving you easy access without having to remove your hands from the steering wheel. Most indicators have a mechanism in them that turns them off when the steering wheel is rotated in a contrary direction to the indicator light.
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Your instrument cluster is the part of the dashboard that tells you what’s going on with your vehicle’s internal systems. It contains the speedometer, the rev counter and all the lights and status displays that warn you of problems such as low fuel and battery charge issues.
Every instrument cluster has a lifespan and will eventually wear out. It’s quite a simple problem to spot as the speedometer and other dials and gauges will stop moving and lights will not function, such as the full beam warning or the hazard indicator. Do of course bear in mind that if it’s only a bulb that’s blown, you may be able to replace certain bulbs in certain positions and then you won’t need to replace the whole cluster.
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The distributor cap controls the ignition sequence in your engine. It ensures that each of the pistons fires at the right time to keep your car turning over. There are a number of signs that your distributor could be fatigued or degraded, and unsurprisingly most of these are linked with your car’s performance. These include shakes when the car is idling at a junction or red light, problems starting in the cold, stalling and backfiring, and trouble with the engine turning over.
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The obvious symptom of a failed starter motor is a car engine that simply fails on ignition. The other key indicators are that there’s a working power supply, which is indicated by working lights and radio and that the car will start with jump leads. If you’re suffering from this situation it’s definitely time to call up the parts shop or second hand supplier and look at replacing the starter motor.
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The engine control unit is one of the most important parts of your car’s on-board computer. It helps regulate the systems and sub-systems imperative to the operation of your vehicle, so when it goes wrong it can cause a host of problems. Some of the most common symptoms of a malfunctioning ECU include permanently lit engine check lights on the dashboard and irregular fuel consumption and it can even stop you from starting the car. This can be a very expensive part to replace, so you are often better off trying to purchase second hand rather than buying new from a dealer and fitting the part yourself.
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