The alternator is a device that keeps your car's electrical system running once the engine is on. It's essentially a small generator that converts mechanical energy into electricity, bolted to the ...

People may think that the battery powers the electrics in your car, but that’s not the case. The battery provides electricity needed for the electric starter motor to start the car. When the car is ...

A dead battery rarely acts alone. When a vehicle refuses to start, most people blame freezing temperatures or an old battery ...

The alternator in your vehicle is not a disposable item like the engine oil, automatic transmission fluid (ATF), or radiator coolant. The average lifespan of an alternator is around 80,000 to 150,000 ...

Zak is new to the CarBuzz team, working as a freelance content writer. When Zak isn't writing How To articles for CarBuzz he's working as a high school automotive technology instructor. Before ...

Your car’s alternator converts mechanical energy from your engine into electricity, powering your electronics and charging your battery. But when your alternator starts to fail, what can you expect in ...

The charging system in a car is often the most confusing part of the whole electrical system, but its purpose is actually pretty easy to understand. There are three main components in a charging ...

An engine is an engine and an alternator is an alternator, right? But not when they're operating in completely different environments like a boat and a car.

Owning a car might be the biggest, and worst, waiting game on the planet. Every single day that you step into the driver’s seat and wonder, “What might go wrong?” We’re not just talking rust buckets, ...

It seems that the biggest growing segment of add-on performance parts for early muscle cars is electrical components. Electric fuel pumps, alternators, fans, megawatt stereos, and other amenities all ...

I’m a former mechanic and I have a question for you. Some of your answers refer to alternators that have “died.” But as far as I know, you have never written about why they die. I know about bearings ...

We earn commissions from purchases you make using links in our articles. Learn more. The alternator is a device that keeps your car’s electrical system running once the engine is on. It’s essentially ...