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Advice

Your subtle 5 signs that your starter could be failing you soon

5 signs that your starter could be failing you soon

When your starter goes out, your vehicle will sit idle. While you can’t always predict when a component like a starter will go bad, you can become aware of the signs that something is amiss. Identifying the warning signs and replacing your starter before it expires on its own schedule can save you a headache later on.

Sluggish Starts

When your vehicle is sluggish to start, it’s a warning sign that the starter could be going bad. If this happens, it’s better to investigate the condition of your starter than to wait for the day it fails altogether.

Clicking Sound

When turning the ignition key causes a clicking sound, the starter is a prime suspect. The battery, of course, is also a leading candidate as the potential problem when a clicking sound occurs. You can dismiss the battery as the culprit by turning on headlights and accessory lights. If they illuminate brightly, the problem does not rest with the battery, bringing you back to the starter as a likely cause.

Lights Dim

If lights dim for a moment when starting your vehicle, the wiring of your starter could be shorting out. This problem results in the drawing of more current than normal, leaving less for powering other system components. Electrical shorts could lead to total failure.

Grinding Noise

This type of noise is a sign that the gears in the starter are beginning to wear out. Worn gears adversely affect how the starter engages the flywheel. Mechanics commonly call this condition “freewheeling.”

Prolonged Running

A starter motor should quit running once the engine starts. If it continues running, it’s a sign that there is a malfunction in the electrical circuitry.

If you’re getting any of these signals, you might want to check out the condition of your starter. Admittedly, these symptoms could be caused by other problems, too. But the starter is a prime suspect.

Older starters that are not operating at peak performance should be replaced before they give out altogether. It’s better to replace a failing starter before it becomes a failed starter that leaves you stranded somewhere. When you’re in the market for a new starter or related electrical component, visit Voltage Auto for a wide selection of quality electrical products.

5 warning signs that your alternator could soon fail

A dead alternator will stop you in your tracks. Of course, no alternator will last forever. But before your alternator fails entirely, there are several warning signs that should concern you. Replacing your alternator before it totally dies is a wise move. If you experience any of these signs, get the condition of your alternator checked.

Lighting Malfunctions

When an alternator begins to weaken, it won’t keep a battery charged like it should. Less battery power means less capacity to power lights, everything from headlights, interior lights and accessory lights. If any of your lights become dim or start to flicker, check out your alternator as a possible cause.

Erratic Electrical Operations

If anything that relies on electric begins to act odd, take note. Problems could range from the radio going off and on to power accessories such as windows and seats glitching. When an alternator starts to die, it won’t produce enough power to keep all electrical system components operating at full capacity. Without adequate power, certain electronics may experience intermittent interruptions.

Starting or Stalling Problems

When you have to turn the ignition key a few times before your vehicle starts, it may be because the spark plugs are not receiving the power they need. Random stalling is another symptom of an alternator in decline. Fuel injection systems need sufficient power to operate. If you’re experiencing these problems, you’ll want to evaluate the condition of your alternator as one possible cause.

Burning Odors

Burning odors could take one of two forms, either an odor that smells like rubber burning or an electrical fire. If you detect either of these smells, consider the alternator as a possible cause.

Dead Battery

A battery will lose its charge when the alternator fails to recharge it. This isn’t an early warning sign, but rather the consequence of ultimate failure. Yet if you find yourself replacing the battery, you may also find yourself replacing the alternator.

Of course, all of these symptoms could have several causes other than the alternator. But if you are experiencing any of these problems, you should investigate the cause before it results in a total breakdown. It’s better to handle these issues on your schedule rather than at the most inconvenient time. If you need a new alternator, Voltage Auto offers one of the most extensive lines for many types of vehicles.

How to hire a mechanic to install your part

The realization that you’re going to need to repair a vehicle is delivered in different ways. It may be the car that won’t start on your driveway. Perhaps it’s the truck that dies out on the road. Or the noise that gets so loud you simply can’t ignore it anymore by turning up the volume on the radio. No matter how the news is delivered, you have a decision to make. How do you get it repaired?

Sourcing Replacement Parts

These aftermarket parts are made to fit and perform just like the original parts that came with your vehicle. By sourcing replacement parts yourself, you maintain control over the quality of the part and save money by choosing a value-priced product. When you have your vehicle repaired at a shop, they often sell the replacement part to you at a price higher than what they paid. The question to ask yourself is: Why pay that extra margin?
Voltage Auto Electrical Spares offers a wide selection of quality aftermarket electrical parts, including starters, alternators, solenoids, voltage regulators and many more for getting your vehicle operational again.

5 Ways to Find a Mechanic

If you’re wondering how to find a mechanic to install your aftermarket parts, here’s the good news. There are numerous possibilities to investigate. Here are a few.

You might start by inquiring if local repair shops will let you supply your own replacement parts. Some shops will and some won’t. But it never hurts to ask. For the shop itself, customers supplying their own replacement parts is a mixed bag. It doesn’t give them the chance to mark up the price of the product, but it also saves them time in ordering and picking up replacement parts from a supplier. When searching out auto repair shops that will allow you to supply your own parts, you’ll have your best luck when inquiring with independent shops. Dealership service centers and franchised chain operations are least likely to work with customers who want to supply their own parts.

If the repair shops in your immediate neighborhood aren’t receptive to doing repairs with supplied parts, you might expand your search online. There are several online directories on which you can search to find repair shops in your area.

Through the connectivity of social media, you might search for a mechanic through your network. Some communities have a group Facebook page on which members trade and barter services. If you have access to such a group page, you might ask about mechanics in your area. For this search method, be sure to inquire about credentials and ask for references.

Schools that train mechanics need vehicles to work on and sometimes make their services available to the public. These schools are usually inexpensive to begin with but may be even more so if you supply your own parts. The work performed at trade schools is typically supervised by experienced instructors. If this option sounds interesting, you should call schools in your area to inquire whether or not they work on cars from the public.

If you’d like ways to save your hard-earned money, the option to purchase your own replacement parts and just pay for labor is a good strategy. With the obvious cost savings, it’s a trend that can be expected to grow in popularity.

 

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