With so many moving parts, it isn’t always easy to tell exactly what’s wrong with your vehicle. One of the most common causes of a breakdown, however, is a failing alternator. The alternator is the most important part of a vehicle’s electrical system, and when it malfunctions, it leads to a domino effect of problems.

As a De Kalb, TX, auto shop with over 60 years of experience, Eubanks Auto Electric specializes in alternator repair, maintenance, and replacement. If your car is showing any of the following signs, they recommend taking it in for repair:

• The Indicator Light: It’s easy to ignore the bothersome little lights that pop up on your dashboard every now and then, but if your alternator warning light appears, you need to take it seriously. For most vehicles, the alternator indicator light appears on the dashboard as either an “ALT” or “GEN” signal. Even if your car has shown no other problematic symptoms, it’s important to take your car in to a specialist as soon as the light appears.
• Flickering Headlights: One of the alternator’s main jobs is to supply power to the headlights. If you notice your headlights are dimmer than they used to be or flicker on and off, that’s a clear sign that something is wrong with the alternator. This means the lights are struggling to keep up with the electrical demands of the vehicle, and unfortunately, it’s a problem that won’t fix itself.
• Stalling: Even regular, non-hybrid vehicles rely on electricity — along with gasoline — to run. The alternator powers the spark plugs that ignite the gasoline to start the engine. If this doesn’t happen, your vehicle may stall or you might have trouble starting it. The longer you wait to address the problem, the more likely it is that your vehicle will not be able to start at all.

If your alternator is showing signs of disrepair, Eubanks Auto Electric has the expertise to get your car running smoothly again. Give them a call at (903) 667-2081 to schedule an appointment. For a full list of the auto repair services they offer, visit their website.