Look over the battery itself. Are the connections rusty or damaged looking? Do the cables look worn out? These issues can contribute to a battery issue if you’ve already gone through this experience recently. Typically, your battery is located under the hood of your car, but some models have the battery installed in the vehicle’s trunk. If you don’t know where to look, be sure to consult your owner’s manual for all information related to your battery.
Note: Do NOT attempt to test the alternator by unplugging the negative cable while the vehicle is running as this will result in damage to your vehicle’s electrical system.
There may be a few signs prior to failure that are worth noting. You will likely hear a growling sound, smell burning rubber inside of your car, or you may notice lights dim or brighten significantly. If you suspect your alternator is failing, check out our Car Brake Services page for more information.
Your car starter has a really important job to perform – frequently. The battery sends a burst of energy to the start which uses this energy to turn the engine over and get it car started. If you put the key in the ignition, but only hear a click when you turn the key, you’ve got a problem with your starter. This sound is very similar to the sound the car will make when the battery is dead, so if you’ve already confirmed your battery is not faulty, you can safely assume this sound is related to the starter.
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AAMCO Utah - Serving Heroes Everyday Narrator: Dedication. Loyalty. Courage. Every day at AAMCO we serve heroes. For over 60 years, we repaired and maintained the most critical public service vehicles - there is nothing our highly trained and certified technicians...
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read moreThe post Is It My Car Battery, Alternator, or Starter? first appeared on AAMCO Utah Transmission Repair and General Car Repair.
