Alternator Replacement/Repair
If your vehicle's battery has died, it may not be the fault of the battery at all, but the alternator. This component is responsible for keeping the battery charged, and an alternator that's not working as it should can cause major trouble. At Archer Volkswagen, we're proud to carry OEM and VW-certified alternators, and our technicians are here to solve whatever alternator troubles your ride may be experiencing. While it is possible to repair an alternator, it's usually both faster and less expensive to simply replace it.
What Does the Alternator Do?
The alternator is a real superstar when it comes to your vehicle. When the engine is running, the serpentine belt turns the alternator, which causes it to generate electricity. The electricity from the alternator powers all the electrical components in your vehicle, from headlights to the stereo to the spark plugs. But it's also responsible for recharging the battery. Your car's battery does most of its actual work during startup when it sends electricity to the starter. After that, some of the electricity generated by the alternator is sent into the battery. That's why we recommend not limiting yourself to multiple short drives with nothing longer in between. If you're just driving a couple blocks away to the grocery store and not going anywhere else, your alternator may not be able to charge the battery enough.
Is It the Alternator or the Battery?
When your car won't start because of a dead battery, it can be difficult to tell whether the battery itself is to blame, or if it's the fault of the alternator. While a trip to your dealership's service center is the best way to be sure, you might be able to get a good idea on your own with a multimeter. If you can get the car running, set your multimeter to voltage and touch one lead to each battery terminal. A properly functioning alternator will supply the 12-Volt battery with a few extra volts for charging. So, your multimeter should read somewhere around 13 to 14 volts. Much more is often a sign of an alternator that isn't working correctly. It's also important to consider that an alternator going bad can also cause problems for the battery. Batteries can get drained to the point that they won't accept a charge, and those will need to be replaced. Also, a spike of voltage from a bad alternator can damage the battery. And, these are just a few issues you could run into. It's why we recommend leaving the diagnostics, repairs, and service to the factory-trained experts like those in our service center at Archer Volkswagen.
Schedule Your Alternator Service at Archer Volkswagen
When you suspect alternator issues in your Volkswagen, we're here to help. Our online service scheduler is the perfect way to make an appointment with us. If you're not confident that your vehicle can make it to our service center under its own power, give us a call. We'll help arrange a tow.