Back to all

Ryan?s Auto Repair of Plymouth Automotive Tips: Alternator

July 14, 2024

Your alternator makes electricity to start and run your engine and all of the vital electrical systems in your vehicle. That’s everything from the on-board computers to the turn signals. And of course there is the entertainment system, seat heaters, power windows and everything you plug into the power outlets. After your alternator makes enough electricity to do all that, it recharges your battery with what’s left over.

When Plymouth drivers constantly have a low or dead battery, the alternator is usually a prime suspect. However, the alternator is just one vital component of the starting/charging system, and a problem with any of the other components could be the actual cause.

In addition to the alternator, the charging/starting system includes the battery, starter, serpentine belt system and all of the electrical cables that connect them. Your Ryan?s Auto Repair of Plymouth service advisor has a systematic process of testing components and connections to get to the source of your trouble. The initial symptoms determine where to begin the diagnostic process, and he follows the procedure until he tracks down the culprit.

For example, diagnostic tests at Ryan?s Auto Repair of Plymouth could reveal that the alternator is not generating enough electricity to keep the battery charged. Is the alternator bad? Not necessarily. A worn serpentine belt tensioner could be allowing the belt that spins the alternator to slip. So the perfectly good alternator is not spinning at the proper speed. The solution for Plymouth drivers is to replace the serpentine belt system – not the alternator.

The good news for Plymouth drivers is that our highly-trained technicians at Ryan?s Auto Repair of Plymouth can properly diagnose all your vehicle troubles and make the necessary repairs to get you back on the road in Plymouth.

Give us a call.

Ryan?s Auto Repair of Plymouth
41990 Joy Rd
Plymouth, MI 48170
734-454-0979
http://www.ryansautorepairplymouth.com



Need Service?

Request a Quote

More articles from Ryan's Auto Repair of Plymouth

Fuel for Thought

January 12, 2025

If you're like most people and drive a gasoline-powered vehicle, you need to be up to speed on its fuel-related components. They're pretty basic: the fuel, the fuel filter and the fuel pump. The fuel's the easy part. You probably gas up your vehicle yourself and, if you're like most drivers, pr... More

Automotive Tips from Ryan?s Auto Repair of Plymouth: Battery Testing

January 5, 2025

The simple fact is that 70% of car batteries fail within 4 years. They just need to be replaced at Ryan?s Auto Repair of Plymouth when they are no longer able to hold a full charge.Batteries are a big ticket item for most Plymouth drivers and its tempting to put off buying a new one as long as po... More

The Ryan?s Auto Repair of Plymouth Basic Guide To Synthetic Oil

December 29, 2024

Synthetic motor oil has been around for a long time, and more and more new vehicles are leaving factories with synthetic in their engines. But a lot of drivers don't really know much about it.Let's start with conventional oil the kind folks are used to. Conventional oil is made up of naturally o... More