Ruh-roh! You’ve turned the key or pressed ‘start’ and your trusted ride ‘clicks’ or refuses to start. Is it a dead battery or a faulty alternator causing the trouble? Today we’re putting our ‘car detective hats’ on to unravel the mystery. Learn more to discover the signs of a bad car battery vs alternator.
What does a car battery do?
A car battery operates like the heart of your vehicle, providing the electrical current that gets things started and keeps them going! But like your heart, a car battery doesn’t work alone; it relies on other components to work in sync. Most car starting systems consist of 6 key parts:
- Alternator – converts chemical energy to electrical energy to charge and replenish the battery and other electrical components
- Battery – provides an electrical current
- Ignition switch – sends the electrical current from the battery to the starter relay
- Starter relay – receives the initial electrical current and converts it to the larger current needed to start your motor
- Battery cables – carry the larger current from the relay to the starter motor
- Starter motor – receives the larger current, and turns over (or ‘cranks’) to initiate your engine
When all 6 parts are working in sync, your car starts easily every time. So chances are that if you’re hearing one or more ‘clicks’ when you turn your key or press ‘start’, something electrical is awry in your starting system preventing one or more parts from doing their job. If you’re not hearing clicks and your car still won’t start, check out some other tips here. And if your car struggles to start but does eventually turn over, don’t ignore the warning signs! Bring your vehicle to us, and we’ll take care of you before you get stuck on the side of the road.
Signs of a bad car battery
If you hear a single tell-tale ‘click’ when trying to start your car, it’s time to inspect your battery. A dirty, corroded or drained battery may well be at the root of your problem. Visually inspect your battery (and terminals) for corrosion or damage, and check that all cables are intact and connected as expected. If the car doesn’t turn over at all and your lights, radio and other accessories aren’t working, then chances are you’ve got a flat battery on your hands.
There are a few other tell-tale signs of a bad car battery vs alternator. Here are a few of the most commonly encountered:
The car is hard to start and turns over slowly or not at all – especially if your starter motor clicks instead of starting your vehicle.
- Dim headlights, slow indicators and other electrical issues.
- Warning lights or low voltage on voltage indicator gauge.
- Corroded connectors, or terminals coated with excessive discharge.
- A distorted, swollen or leaking battery case.
- You know that your battery is super old and hasn’t been replaced.
What does an alternator do?
The car alternator plays a crucial role in a vehicle’s electrical system by converting mechanical energy from the engine into electrical energy. It generates alternating current (AC) that gets converted to direct current (DC) to power various electrical components and charge the car’s battery. The core role of the alternator is to ensure that the vehicle’s electrical systems receive a continuous supply of power while recharging the battery, allowing it to start the engine and operate other electrical accessories.
Signs of a bad alternator
Rapid clicking is a red flag for an issue with your alternator, which may be struggling to convert enough energy to replenish all of the electrical components in your vehicle. The good news is that there’s a good chance you may be able to get your vehicle jump started if this is the case. Of course, it’s always safer to have a professional do this for you, so if you’re not confident or experienced, give your roadside assistance service a call and bring your vehicle to us so we can diagnose and resolve your issue quickly and effectively.
How urgent is it to repair a car battery vs alternator?
Sadly, you won’t be getting far if faced with a bad car battery or alternator. Both are crucial components to get your car started and keep it running. As soon as you notice any warning signs that your car is struggling to start, book a service or call the workshop. Our service team will provide you with honest, reliable advice on the best course of action. Need to get somewhere while your vehicle is being serviced at Cox Auto? As well as a fleet of courtesy cars, we offer a complimentary pickup and drop-off service via Uber within 10 km of our centre in South Melbourne.
