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Common Electrical Problems

Alternator Problems: Your alternator converts power from your engine to electricity to feed your battery while also running the electrical systems throughout your vehicle. If your alternator isn’t working properly, it may cause your battery to lose its charge — you may notice that your lights, dashboard, or even power brakes or steering are losing their functionality. It may also be difficult to start your vehicle, or it may fail to start altogether if the battery is depleted. You may also have a loose belt (which transfers power from the engine to the alternator), or you may have a belt that has broken if you’ve lost power altogether.

Battery Issues: Your battery stores energy to start your vehicle while also providing a consistent source of energy for other electrical systems throughout your vehicle. If you’ve noticed that your car won’t start, or you’ve noticed any of the aforementioned problems that can also occur with a poor alternator — i.e. dim lights, loss of dashboard lights and gage functionality, loss of power brakes or steering, and failure to start — then your battery may be the source of the issue.

Malfunctioning Starter: Your starter kick-starts your engine, and when it fails, your vehicle won’t turn on. You may have a worn out starter, which could be caused by a broken ignition switch, a failure to carry power to the starter motor from the battery, or worn out components (like the pushrod that turns the engine over).

Broken Blower Fan: Your blower fans are responsible for blowing cool air over the fins of your radiator, and these fans push heated air into the cabin of your car when you turn on the heat. If you’ve noticed that your car is overheating, then your blower fans may be inoperable. You may also notice that your car won’t warm up when you turn the heat on. Your car may still be able to cool itself while it is at highway speeds (because the speed of the car will introduce some air into the fins of the radiator), but it will overheat if you’re idling or travelling at lower speeds. Pull over and turn off your vehicle if you notice that it is red-lining, since you can cause irreparable damage to the engine.

Bad Fuel Pump Switch: Your fuel pump switch opens and closes when your vehicle is running and off, accordingly. However, if you lose power to your fuel pump switch, the switch could be stuck. You may notice that your engine dies while you’re driving, or you may not be able to start your car if you have a failing fuel pump switch.

Blown Fuse: The fuses in the fusebox of your vehicle are responsible for keeping various electrical systems from enduring overvoltage and short circuits which could damage these electrical components. Your fuses may blow simply due to regular wear and tear, or they may blow if your system is overcharged, which can happen if you have an alternator issue. If you’ve blown a fuse, you may notice that a specific electrical system has failed. For instance, your vehicle’s interior lights may no longer work, or your blower fans may have shut off. Replacing fuses is, fortunately, inexpensive, and it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes if you can locate the fuse box and the blown fuse, and purchase a replacement.

Electrical Problem FAQ

Are you having battery or alternator problems?

Now, if you’re having battery or alternator problems, then it’s likely that every electrical component in your car is failing as well. Think about it. We’ve all come across a time when you happen to leave your lights on overnight. The next day, you’ll have to find the jumper cables and a helpful stranger just to get your car started.

As we mentioned, you may also have an issue with your alternator, the component of your car that’s responsible for creating electrical power from the engine. If you have a failing alternator, it won’t charge your battery, and it won’t send current to the components that rely on its charge. So, if you have an electrical problem that’s affecting every part of your vehicle, your battery or alternator may be to blame.

We can check your battery and alternator to locate the source of the issue. We use a battery tester to see if your battery is holding a charge (and enough of a charge to start your vehicle and run its components). We can also assess the performance of your alternator and its belts and connections.

How much will a repair cost?

Electrical repairs can vary greatly in cost. For example, replacing an alternator will cost $500 or more, while replacing a blown fuse will only cost a couple of dollars. If you’re aware of an electrical issue and you’d like an estimate for your project, you can simply reach out to us to get a quote. We can also assess your issue if you bring your vehicle into the shop, and we’ll give you an estimate for the necessary repairs.

Does my car run on alternating or direct current power?

Vehicles run on both alternating and direct current (DC) power. While your battery provides direct current power to various components (like the starter), the alternator produces alternating current, which can be routed to run the electrical components in your car, while also charging the battery of the car. Your alternator creates alternating current (AC) via a belt that is attached to the motor. As the motor turns, the belt turns, and the alternator creates electricity through moving magnets and a magnetic field. If your vehicle fails to produce AC or DC power, its electrical components will fail to operate.

How long do car batteries last?

While your alternator charges your battery, batteries don’t last forever. Unfortunately, the electrolytes within your battery eventually decay and fail to hold a charge over time. On average, a car battery will last about four years before it no longer holds a charge. Your battery will last longer or shorter depending on how much you use your vehicle, the conditions you use your vehicle in, and the type of battery that you installed.

How much does it cost to replace a battery?

Car batteries are relatively inexpensive (costing anywhere from $50 for standard batteries to $200 for premium batteries), and it’s a relatively quick process to replace a battery (which means that you’ll probably pay about $100 extra for a mechanic to swap out your battery). Reach out to us for a quick quote for your vehicle.

Can I perform electrical repairs on my vehicle myself?

While you can perform some repairs yourself, you may want to bring your car into an auto shop for battery replacements, parts replacements and repairs, and rewiring. Since your car battery can be dangerous (it holds a significant charge that can harm you if you touch its components) and live wires can also be dangerous, it may be best to trust a professional to handle your battery and other electrical components in your vehicle. In addition, if you’re replacing components in your vehicle, you may void their warranty if they aren’t installed by a certified technician. Plus, you can damage your components if you install them improperly. You may be able to replace fuses easily enough (if you can locate the fuse box), but otherwise, we recommend that you entrust a trained mechanic for electrical repairs.

Diagnosing Your Electrical Problem

Your car may have a problem with individual components throughout the vehicle. Each may be caused by a variety of issues, which your mechanic may have to diagnose. If, for instance, you have a cooling fan that refuses to cool your radiator (and your car ends up overheating while it’s idling), then there may be a variety of components that have failed. You may have blown a fuse. A wire may have disconnected. Your thermometer may be broken. The list goes on—you may even have a belt-operated cooling fan that’s lost its belt!

In short, it's best to bring your vehicle into your mechanic if you suspect you have an electrical problem that you can’t diagnose yourself. If you live here in Denver, and you have a German-manufactured vehicle, you can count on the experts here at Avalon Motorsports.

Count on Denver’s Battery & Electric Mechanics

Here at Avalon, we’re just as much electric service experts as we are motor service pros. Bring your vehicle into the shop whenever you notice an electrical problem, and we’ll get right to the source. Keep in mind, we specialize in German auto repair here at our Denver shop, so if you have an Audi, BMW, Volkswagen, Porsche, or Mini, we’re the mechanics to call. Get started by scheduling service for your vehicle today!