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Cannon auto repair

If your car is getting hard to start or it stalls unexpectedly, you may be wondering if the problem is caused by a bad battery, a failing car starter, or a bad alternator? Head to your auto shop and have the entire starter system checked out. Even though this system was designed for repeated use under a variety of conditions, normal wear and tear over time, extreme weather and road conditions, or poor maintenance can all cause problems.

If a dead battery or a bad car starter has been ruled out as the cause of your starting problem, you may be left wondering what causes the alternator to go bad? There are several issues that can ruin an alternator:

  • Using jumper cables wrong,
  • Overloading the charging system with too many accessories,
  • Leaking fluid, or
  • A tight belt that can damage bearings.

Just what does the alternator do, you ask? Basically, the alternator keeps the battery charged so that it can ignite the car starter. Once the car starts running, the alternator works continuously to keep the battery charged. If the alternator goes bad, the battery will eventually lose its charge and you will not be able to operate your car.

How long should an alternator last? The lifespan of an alternator is generally affected by its quality, how the car is driven, and how many electronic accessories are being used. There is no set service interval for alternators and they can die with little or no warning.

There are a few signs that indicate the alternator is starting to fail:

  1. The "ALT" or "GEN" light illuminates on the instrument panel.
  2. The lights are dimmer than usual and may pulsate from dim to bright.
  3. Other electrical systems, such as power windows, power locks, air conditioning, radio, GPS, etc., will start to act up.
  4. Bearings in the engine may fail, creating unusual rattles.
  5. The engine will stall as there is not enough power in the spark plugs to start the engine or to keep it running.
  6. The battery will lose its charge.

Wondering what causes the alternator to go bad? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Cannon Auto Repair for more information about the starting system and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Cannon Falls, MN, and the surrounding areas.

Jan Udenberg

Jan Udenberg

Owner – Cannon Auto Repair, Cannon Falls, MN

Jan Udenberg is the Owner of Cannon Auto Repair in Cannon Falls, MN. After an accomplished career as a Laboratory Technician at the Mayo Clinic, she retired in December 2022 and stepped into leadership after the passing of her husband, longtime owner Rich Udenberg. Jan has embraced the automotive industry with open arms—getting to know customers, learning the trade, and even bringing their dog Bear to the shop as the beloved four-legged greeter. She loves spending time with her grandkids and cherishing outdoor adventures like fishing, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling.

Learn More About Jan & Our Shop

Wondering what causes the alternator to go bad? If your car is getting hard to start, you may be wondering if there is a problem with the car starter or battery.

If your car is getting hard to start or it stalls unexpectedly, you may be wondering if the problem is caused by a bad battery, a failing car starter, or a bad alternator? Head to your auto shop and have the entire starter system checked out. Even though this system was designed for repeated use under a variety of conditions, normal wear and tear over time, extreme weather and road conditions, or poor maintenance can all cause problems.

If a dead battery or a bad car starter has been ruled out as the cause of your starting problem, you may be left wondering what causes the alternator to go bad? There are several issues that can ruin an alternator:

  • Using jumper cables wrong,
  • Overloading the charging system with too many accessories,
  • Leaking fluid, or
  • A tight belt that can damage bearings.

Just what does the alternator do, you ask? Basically, the alternator keeps the battery charged so that it can ignite the car starter. Once the car starts running, the alternator works continuously to keep the battery charged. If the alternator goes bad, the battery will eventually lose its charge and you will not be able to operate your car.

How long should an alternator last? The lifespan of an alternator is generally affected by its quality, how the car is driven, and how many electronic accessories are being used. There is no set service interval for alternators and they can die with little or no warning.

There are a few signs that indicate the alternator is starting to fail:

  1. The "ALT" or "GEN" light illuminates on the instrument panel.
  2. The lights are dimmer than usual and may pulsate from dim to bright.
  3. Other electrical systems, such as power windows, power locks, air conditioning, radio, GPS, etc., will start to act up.
  4. Bearings in the engine may fail, creating unusual rattles.
  5. The engine will stall as there is not enough power in the spark plugs to start the engine or to keep it running.
  6. The battery will lose its charge.

Wondering what causes the alternator to go bad? Contact our ASE Certified Technicians at Cannon Auto Repair for more information about the starting system and to schedule an appointment. Our auto shop serves vehicle owners in Cannon Falls, MN, and the surrounding areas.

Jan Udenberg

Jan Udenberg

Owner – Cannon Auto Repair, Cannon Falls, MN

Jan Udenberg is the Owner of Cannon Auto Repair in Cannon Falls, MN. After an accomplished career as a Laboratory Technician at the Mayo Clinic, she retired in December 2022 and stepped into leadership after the passing of her husband, longtime owner Rich Udenberg. Jan has embraced the automotive industry with open arms—getting to know customers, learning the trade, and even bringing their dog Bear to the shop as the beloved four-legged greeter. She loves spending time with her grandkids and cherishing outdoor adventures like fishing, four-wheeling, and snowmobiling.

Learn More About Jan & Our Shop

Ashlan Kaplan
Cannon Auto RepairAuto Repair Shop in Cannon Falls, MN

$$$

1709 Minnesota 20, Cannon Falls, MN 55009507-263-2120info@cannonautorepair.com
Mon:08:00am - 05:00pm
Tue:08:00am - 05:00pm
Wed:08:00am - 05:00pm
Thu:08:00am - 05:00pm
Fri:08:00am - 05:00pm
Sat:Closed
Sun:Closed
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