Keeping your car on the road is a complex feat, and your alternator plays an important role in this process. After the battery starts your vehicle, the electrical current produced by the alternator is what keeps you going. It accomplishes this with a rotating pulley, converting the mechanical energy into electricity. Your car depends on the alternator to stay powered. Symptoms of a Faulty Alternator With a life span between 7 and 10 years, alternators are hardy equipment and don't require much maintenance. When the alternator is failing, however, you may notice your vehicle behaving unusually. Here are some common symptoms of a failing alternator: Battery Light On — Your dash lights are part of your OBD (On-Board Diagnostics) system, and their role is to communicate any issues in your vehicle. If the alternator is failing, the light shaped like a battery, ‘ALT', or ‘GEN' will glow on your dashboard. Whining Noise — The components inside your alte ... read more