Which do you need? Starter or Alternator?
Knowing When To Replace Your Starter and Alternator
What is the difference between your car’s starter and alternator? Both are vital to your vehicle. If either goes out, then you are not going anywhere. Starters and alternators are similar but different at the same time. When it comes to replacing, knowing which one needs to be replaced will help you calculate how much you need to spend.
How much do starters cost? What is a starter? A car starter does exactly what it’s called: starts your car! The starter grabs energy from the battery and once the key is in the ignition and turned, a small amount of electric current flows through a neutral safety switch and goes into the starter relay. The most common sign that a starter needs to be replaced is a grinding noise. This is caused by a worn out gear. Other issues that occur; like seeing smoke, oil leaking and soaking your starter, or hearing a loud whining sound, are all signs the starter needs to be replaced.
Also if you have a damaged solenoid, it is likely your engine won’t even crank over. The solenoid is a key component to the starter. If it is not working properly, nothing at all will happen when you turn the key.
Alternators generate electric power in your car. Alternators are critical to your vehicle because, when the engine is running, it charges the battery and delivers extra power to the electrical systems within the vehicle. Since alternators give power to electrical systems, dim lights are a sign it is going out. Not just the headlights, but dashboard lights and backlights to the buttons on your radio system. Some vehicles even have alternator warning lights. If your battery is showing low or dead, it can be a sign that the alternator has gone out and the battery is running on a finite amount of life.
Need to know how much do starters cost? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about starters and alternators and to schedule an appointment. Our auto repair shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
Knowing When To Replace Your Starter and Alternator
What is the difference between your car’s starter and alternator? Both are vital to your vehicle. If either goes out, then you are not going anywhere. Starters and alternators are similar but different at the same time. When it comes to replacing, knowing which one needs to be replaced will help you calculate how much you need to spend.
How much do starters cost? What is a starter? A car starter does exactly what it’s called: starts your car! The starter grabs energy from the battery and once the key is in the ignition and turned, a small amount of electric current flows through a neutral safety switch and goes into the starter relay. The most common sign that a starter needs to be replaced is a grinding noise. This is caused by a worn out gear. Other issues that occur; like seeing smoke, oil leaking and soaking your starter, or hearing a loud whining sound, are all signs the starter needs to be replaced.
Also if you have a damaged solenoid, it is likely your engine won’t even crank over. The solenoid is a key component to the starter. If it is not working properly, nothing at all will happen when you turn the key.
Alternators generate electric power in your car. Alternators are critical to your vehicle because, when the engine is running, it charges the battery and delivers extra power to the electrical systems within the vehicle. Since alternators give power to electrical systems, dim lights are a sign it is going out. Not just the headlights, but dashboard lights and backlights to the buttons on your radio system. Some vehicles even have alternator warning lights. If your battery is showing low or dead, it can be a sign that the alternator has gone out and the battery is running on a finite amount of life.
Need to know how much do starters cost? Contact our ASE-certified technicians today at Express Auto Service & Repair for more information about starters and alternators and to schedule an appointment. Our auto repair shop serves vehicle owners in Mankato, MN, and the neighboring communities of Mankato, MN, New Ulm, MN, and St. Peter, MN.
