Signs You Need an Alternator Repair at Your VW Dealer

Alternators have been an essential part of automobiles for many years. Their function is to produce electricity for all your car’s systems. An alternator is designed to run continuously from the moment your engine starts till you turn off the engine. As an alternator ages, it will become less efficient at producing electricity and this can lead to problems. These are a few signs that you may need to visit your VW dealer for an alternator repair.

Burning Smells

The smell of burning rubber, plastic, or metal from your engine can mean you have an alternator problem. The alternator is powered by the movement of the alternator belt, which causes the alternator to spin. A damaged or worn alternator belt can overheat as it runs through the engine. The belt is made from reinforced rubber, and an overheating belt will generate a burning rubber smell.

A worn alternator can produce a hot metal smell. If the alternator can’t supply enough electricity, it will attempt to generate more power by spinning faster. As the alternator spins faster, worn parts heat up, and produce a strong burning smell. Finally, burning plastic smells can be caused by worn or damaged wiring overheating. This can cause the wire’s insulation to burn. We’ll investigate the source of the unpleasant smells and fix the problem.

Loose Connections

Your VW has a vast quantity of wiring that connects every electrical system and device to the alternator. Each of these systems and devices has fuses, connectors, relays, or switches that control the flow of electricity. Each connection requires the wiring to be broken and then reconnected. The breaks and reconnections are essential but can cause potential problems.

Electricity flows most smoothly through an uninterrupted wire. Slight movements of the wiring as you drive can gradually loosen connectors and relays. An electrical charge can’t flow through even a minute gap between wires. A loose connection will break the circuit, and one or more systems or devices will cease functioning. Our technicians can test the flow of electricity through your car, identify any breaks in transmission, and repair it.

Battery Warning Light

The battery-shaped warning light on the dash illuminates in response to any problem in your electrical system. Sensors are connected to your car’s vital systems to monitor the system and report on any potential issues. These sensors are capable of detecting minute changes in a system’s performance.

The warning light can illuminate if a worn alternator supplies less electricity than it should. The sensors will detect the discrepancy and inform your car’s computer. The warning light can also illuminate due to battery failure, damaged wiring, blown fuses, or other issues. We’ll examine your electrical system and fix the problem,

Alternator problems are usually easy to identify and repair. Call us today at Doral Volkswagen.

Tags: alternator repair, auto service, Doral FL, Doral VW
Posted in Miami Volkswagen Service | No Comments »