3 Signs Your BMW Needs an Alternator Repair

The alternator is a vital part of your BMW’s charging system. The alternator is responsible for generating electricity while your car is moving. This electricity supplies all the power your car’s systems require, and it also supplies the power to keep your battery fully charged. An alternator, unfortunately, can wear out and will need to be repaired or replaced. When you need an alternator repair, your BMW dealer will help you.

3 Signs You Need an Alternator Repair at Your BMW Dealer

Damaged Wiring

The electricity produced by your alternator has to be transmitted to the devices and components that need it. A network of wires and cables links these devices to the alternator. The wires are protected by plastic coatings, but the coatings can wear, and wires can suffer damage. Damaged wiring is a poor conductor of electricity, and any device connected via a damaged wire will lose power.

Your alternator will continue to try and supply power through the damaged cables, and this will cause the wiring to heat up. The smell of burning plastic is a sign that you need to bring your car into our service center ASAP. The plastic wire coatings contain numerous dangerous chemicals which are released when the plastic gets hot. Our technicians will trace the damaged wiring and replace it.

Broken Diode

The diode is a small yet important part of your alternator, as it’s responsible for converting the current your alternator produces. The center of an alternator is an array of magnets wrapped in copper wiring called the stator. When your car moves, the crankshaft turns, and this causes the alternator belt to move very fast over a series of pulleys. The movement of the belt over the pulleys causes them to spin.

Your alternator pulley spins, and this causes the stator to spin and generate electricity. The electricity it creates is AC, and your car’s systems require DC to work. The diode converts the AC into DC to supply your car’s electrical needs. The diode can fail and if it does the electricity produced by your alternator isn’t usable. The lack of usable power will cause all your electrical components to fail. When we replace the diode, the electrical system will work correctly again.

Battery Warning Light

The battery-shaped warning light on your dash represents your car’s electrical charging system. The three elements of this system are the alternator, the battery, and the voltage regulator. If this light comes on, it means that there’s a problem with one of these components. Sensors are placed throughout your car, and they’re connected to the most vital components.

These sensors are programmed to identify any failure by their component, and if something goes wrong, your battery warning light will come on. Our technicians will test your electrical system, and we’ll find the source of the problem.

Luckily, a failing alternator always shows signs that something is wrong. Call us right away at Tom Bush BMW Orange Park. Our technicians will fix the problem for you.

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