What is a car alternator?
A car alternator keeps your car's battery charged, which is obviously important because a charged battery starts your car and powers everything electrical within it. It does so using a drive belt (sometimes referred to as a serpentine belt) to convert the mechanical energy of the car's rotating crankshaft into electricity through a process of induction.
What are the possible signs of a faulty alternator?
- Your car is difficult or slow to start.
- Growling, whirring, whining or squealing noises are emanating from your car's engine.
- Your car’s interior and exterior lights seem too dim, blink erratically, gradually fade, suddenly get brighter or don’t come on at all.
- The red light on your car’s dash with the image of a battery (or the words ALT or GEN) becomes illuminated.
- Your speedometer has stopped working.
- You can smell rubber burning.
- Your car fails a multimeter test at a garage.
What is the cause of a faulty car alternator?
- The component, a brush, which maintains constant electrical contact with the spinning alternator, becomes worn.
- The voltage regulator, which makes sure that the electrical charge is passed to the battery at the correct voltage, fails.
How long does a car alternator last?
- On average, a car alternator can last for 8-12 years without needing for any repairs.
How much does it cost to repair a faulty alternator?
- On average, it costs between £150-£300 to repair or replace a broken car alternator depending on the vehicle.
- Refurbished car alternators are available but do not offer that much of a cost saving.
How and where can I get a car alternator repaired?
- BookMyGarage is partners with over 9,000 garages in the UK so we can almost certainly find one to repair or replace your car.
- Go to bookmygarage.com, enter your car registration and postcode, and then press the search button.
- Sort the results by etc.
- Call one of our expert mechanics on 03304 004439 for help and advice if needed.
About SEAT
SEAT is a Spanish automobile manufacturer that was founded back in 1950 by the Instituto Nacional de Industria, a state-owned industrial holding company based near Barcelona. Currently a subsidiary of the German Volkswagen Group, this Spanish company is known for producing cars for a sportier, more youthful demographic. Producing cars and other vehicles using the Volkswagen platform has helped the Spanish brand build a reputation as makers of reliable, high-quality products, too.
SEAT has a variety of vehicles across the spectrum - from SUVs and crossovers to city cars and estates. They also offer some off-road cars with the Leon X-Perience, and a very spacious Alhambra that seats seven and offers great value for money.
About the SEAT Ibiza
The SEAT Ibiza is a supermini with good looks, a good engine and a lot in common with its Volkswagen rival, the VW Polo. It was updated by SEAT toward the end of 2015 with a new high-quality interior made of better materials than its predecessor, and with a new “infotainment” system that works with the driver’s smartphone to easily display apps.
Known for being easy to drive with a lovely gear change, light steering, and a very adaptive clutch, the Ibiza’s steering and suspension also had an update last year in hopes of improving the road quality of the car, making it more stable and a little more fun too.
