Electrical & Electronics

How Does an Alternator Work?

A vehicle's alternator is part of its automotive charging system, along with the battery and the voltage regulator. The alternator and battery work together to generate power for the electrical components of your vehicle, such as your car's air conditioning system and headlights. These components are very important to keep running, so you can have a comfortable drive on the roads of Lexington. The alternator gets its name from the alternating current (AC) it produces.

The alternator can be found near the front of the engine and is driven by the crankshaft, which converts the vehicle's pistons' up-and-down movement into circular movement. Most alternators are bolted to a specific part of a vehicle's engine in order to achieve this. The electric current that is generated from the alternator is passed onto the vehicle's battery, providing the energy or voltage needed to run the vehicle's electric systems. 

​

Your vehicle's alternator has vents on both the front and back sides, which aids in heat dissipation. The backside of the alternator has several terminals or connecting points in an electrical circuit. These terminals sense battery voltage, turn the voltage regulator on, close the circuit to the warning lamp, and serve as a full-field bypass for the regulator. If any one of these terminals is damaged, it can affect your alternator as a whole, and therefore your entire vehicle.

How Do I Know If My Alternator Needs Repairs

Like any complex system, it is the sum of many parts that keeps your vehicle running without a hitch. When one part of the system is down, it can affect various parts of your vehicle. Whether you need an alternator for your Acura, Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, or something else, the signs of a failing or broken alternator are universal. Here are five signs that you may need to come in for alternator testing, repair, and/or replacement:

​

• Your Battery Light is on

• Your vehicle’s electronic accessories have slowed down

• Your vehicle’s serpentine belt is loose

• You hear strange noises coming from your vehicle