Is It My Car Battery, Alternator, or Starter?

Car Not Starting?

There is no surprise quite like going to start your car only to realize nothing is happening. It always seems to happen at an inconvenient time, like when you need to be at work or across town at your appointment. But is your battery actually dead, or is there a problem with your alternator or starter? We are going to review how to check these systems to identify the source of your trouble.

Systems to Test When Your Car is Having Electrical Problems

Start With The Battery

When the car won’t start, the most logical place to start is with the battery. Car batteries frequently last about 5 years but can last a shorter amount of time in more extreme weather conditions (i.e. extreme cold weather, or a location with high heat and humidity). In cold weather, it is especially common to find that your battery has died. Be sure to look at your most commonly used connections… Was an overhead light left on? Were the headlights left on overnight? Once these have been turned off, try turning the car on again. You may require a jump to get the battery going again. If you are able to jump your car off and keep it running, but then dies again when you shut the car off, this is a sign there is an issue with the battery.

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.

A black car battery with a yellow label on it

Next, Test the Alternator

A dead car battery can be one of the first indicators of a problem with the alternator. If you’ve confirmed the battery is working properly after reading the section above, then the safest conclusion to make is the issue is related to the alternator. There are a few ways to test this to verify a problem:

Turn your car on and let it run. While it is running, unplug the positive connection from the battery. If the car stops, then the alternator is not working properly. The positive connection is red, while the negative connection is black.
Monitor the dashboard lights and note if they fade in and out or flicker. This is another clear indicator of alternator issues.

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.

Last, Check The Starter

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.

Let AAMCO Utah Help You Out

Following a car maintenance schedule is critical to ensure the overall health of your vehicle. These regular inspections will alert you to any potential concerns before they have a chance to grow into real problems. It can be difficult to find someone you can trust when it comes to car care, but at AAMCO Utah, we are dedicated to winning your trust. Schedule an appointment today to find out why those who know go to AAMCO.

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