Your Kia’s alternator generates the electricity that powers all of your car’s components. It also provides the power to recharge your battery. The alternator, like any other component, can fail. If your alternator develops problems, your Kia dealer can provide an alternator repair or replacement. These are some of the signs that your alternator is struggling.
Burning Plastic
The cloying stench of burning plastic isn’t something you want to smell. If this smell comes from your engine, one possible cause is damaged wiring. The electricity produced by your alternator needs to be transmitted to all the components and devices in your car. Transmitting this power requires large numbers of wires and cables.
A car’s engine is a hostile place for electrical wiring, so all wires are protected by plastic and rubber coatings. Unfortunately, wiring can fray or break, and a damaged wire won’t transmit any power. Your alternator will continue to send power down the damaged wire, which causes the wire to heat up. If the wire gets hot enough, it can cause the plastic insulation to burn.
Damaged Rectifier
As the crankshaft turns, it causes the alternator belt to move over a series of pulleys. The belt’s movement causes these pulleys to spin, and this power the components attached to the pulleys. Your alternator is attached to one of these pulleys, and as it spins it produces electricity. A bundle of magnets in the center of the alternator generates magnetic energy that’s converted into electrical energy.
The power produced by the alternator is AC, and your car runs on DC. The rectifier in the alternator converts AC to DC, which allows this power to be used. If the rectifier fails, your alternator will produce power, but it can’t be used. Your electrical systems will need to be powered by the battery until the battery power runs down. Once we replace the rectifier, your alternator will work again.
Worn Alternator Belt
The alternator belt is made from tough reinforced rubber. It runs continually across the pulleys to keep the various systems powered. We check the belt on regular occasions according to your car’s service schedule to make sure that it’s in good condition. If the belt hasn’t been checked for a whole, it may suffer damage.
A worn or damaged alternator belt could theoretically snap. If this happens, your car will immediately lose all electrical power and will stop. You’ll hear the sound of a damaged belt that sound like screeching or thumping. This gives a warning that the belt needs to be checked before it fails.
If you suspect you could have an alternator problem, call our service department ASAP at Mike Kelly Kia.
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