Your car has so many parts and systems working together to keep your car running, it can be hard to know what the problem is when you have an issue with your car. When you bring your car to the auto repair shop, you don’t need to know for certain what the problem is. But it can help you prepare yourself for both the price of the repair and how long your car will be off the road if you have an idea of what is wrong with your car.

Some car troubles can be harder to pin down than others. One problem that can show up in many different ways is your alternator going out.

Here are three signs that you need to take your car to an auto repair shop to fix your alternator.

Dim Headlights

The alternator powers the electrical systems in your car, which means that it is responsible for keeping the battery charged. If you notice that your headlights are dimmer than they should be, it could be your alternator. When the alternator starts to go, it can’t charge the battery enough, which can’t keep the headlights at full brightness.

Electrical System Problems

Nearly all the accessories in your car get their power from the alternator. These accessories include the radio, A/C, power locks, and power windows. If any of those systems are slow to respond or do not work at all, the problem is likely your alternator. In fact, one of the most common signs that your alternator is about to go is that the radio stops working.

Whining or Grinding Noises

There are non-electrical issues that can tell you a trip to the auto repair shop is in your future. If your alternator is struggling to function, it may make whining or grinding noises. Those noises could be caused by a few things. The most common reasons are the bearings that spin the rotor shaft going bad or the belt that turns the pulley being out of alignment.

auto repair shop

Need an auto repair shop? Come to Weston Automotive!

No matter what your car trouble is, you need an auto repair shop you can trust. At Weston Automotive, we take the utmost care with every job. Whether you need a major repair or just some routine maintenance, you can rely on our technicians to take care of it for you.

Contact us at (781) 899-0247 to schedule a service today!