A car alternator produces electricity and converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). An engine alternator provides sufficient electrical energy to the battery to recharge. It also maintains enough voltage to power the accessories and components of a vehicle.

Each alternator is carefully configured for each car’s electrical system requirements such as the intensity and charging level.

But if problems occur, it can result in the car battery overcharging or undercharging, which are the leading causes of car battery overheating.

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Yes, the car alternator does charge the battery of your car, while it is idling, even with a strenuous load on the car battery.

However, if the amount of charge that the battery receives from the alternator is less than the electrical load of operating the lights, radio, AC etc. then it will lead to a car battery dead over time, which will result in the battery not charging anymore.

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Every van is equipped to deal with a wide range of issues and all our work is backed by Lube Mobile's 12 month / 20,000km warranty on parts and labour.

There are several different symptoms you will see when a car alternator begins to go bad. When you drive your car, you may notice electrical problems such as dim headlights.

Another sign is a dash light (also known as the battery light due to being shaped like a battery) which will appear. When this light appears, it is to alert the driver to check the charging system or any problems, because the engine alternator is not providing enough charge for the electrical system.

When the charging system is functioning correctly, you will see the charge indicator lamp appear when switching on the ignition. It will then go off after you start the car.

If the lamp doesn’t appear with the key turning on, then you need a possible replacement for the bulb or check the warning light circuit.

Other symptoms of a bad alternator can be caused by any of the following parts:

If you notice any of the above symptoms, book a routine service or repair today. We'll come to you, diagnose your car's problem and give you an itemised quote before we do any work.

If you have a bad alternator, chances are you may not be able to start your car at the very first place. This is because even if your car engine is running, the faulty car alternator will not be able to charge the battery

However, it’s still possible to start your car even if you find your car battery dead and have a bad alternator. To do so, you need to start the car by using another vehicle which has a good car battery.

All you will need is a set of jumper cables and to make sure the cars are turned off first.

- Connect the red (positive) cable to the positive terminal for the car with the bad alternator.

- Then connect the other red jumper cable to the car with the good battery on the positive terminal.

- Next, connect the negative (black) cable to the car with the good battery to the negative terminal.

- Lastly, connect the other black jumper cable anywhere on the engine of the car with the bad battery. This will act as a ground.

Important: Never put the black cable on the battery for the car which has to be jump-started.

Next, start the car which has a good battery. Make sure the engine is running for a few minutes. Then start the car with the bad engine alternator. If it doesn’t start, let the car run for a few more minutes before trying again.

When removing the cables, it’s critical to make sure the cables are separated from each other and don’t touch. As the lights won’t last long without a full charge, you should never jump-start your car with a broken alternator and drive it at night.

If you have a problem with your car alternator not charging, you should have a mechanic look at it immediately. Lube Mobile mechanics carry an extensive range of parts so they can fix the problem right away.

Car services can alert you to any mechanical failure that can not only have dangerous consequences, but also reduce your car’s longevity. To ensure that your car is safe on the road it is important that its lubricants, fluids, electronic and mechanical functions are changed, adjusted or checked at regular intervals.

At Lube Mobile, we are dedicated to providing regular car services or car repairs at the location and time of your choice, offering you a safe and hassle-free driving experience.

Looking for a mobile repair?

Book a routine service or repair today and we’ll come to you at a time and place that suits your schedule. We can usually reach you by the same or next business day!

Convenience, Quality, Flexibility and Trust.

Lube Mobile is proud to be one of Australia's most trusted brands, with a 40+ year track record of delivering quality mobile car maintenance and repair.

Here are 4 reasons to book Lube Mobile for your next service or repair:

Getting your car serviced or repaired on your driveway at home - or at work - takes the hassle and unnecessary expense out of car maintenance. Forget about waiting for your car to get seen to in an overbooked garage, paying for a tow or arranging rental cars - we come to you!

We only use the highest quality parts and oils on your car, and all of our mechanics are fully trained and qualified to perform a wide range of maintenance and repairs on a wide range of makes and models. We also back our work with a 12-month/20,000km warranty on parts and labour.

Because we are Australia's largest network of mobile mechanics, we have more appointment times to suit your schedule. This means that depending on where you are in Australia, we can usually reach your by the same or next business day!

Even if you're not sure what kind of service or repair your car needs, a qualified Lube Mobile mechanic will diagnose your issue at the car's location, provide you with an itemised quote of the work and any parts required, then carry out the job in front of you. Got questions? Ask us. Our friendly mechanics are here to help and won't start the work until you approve it.

Need a mobile mechanic?

Book a mobile service or repair today. We come to you!