The Best Toyota Alternators

An alternator is a part of a car's charging system. It turns mechanical energy into electrical energy. In doing so, it charges the car's battery and runs its many electrical systems, including heated seats, dashboard lights and displays, power windows, steering, windshield wipers, the radio, and more.

To charge them all, though, an alternator needs to generate current. How it does so is simple. The engine runs a serpentine belt, drive belt, pulley, and rotor shaft, the last of which spins magnetic coils. This movement produces a magnetic field that generates AC power. A rectifier on the alternator captures the electricity and turns it into a DC charge -- output that a voltage regulator controls.

Unfortunately, alternators can go bad from time to time. Causes of this include worn or damaged parts, installing incompatible accessories, and jump-starting incorrectly. Luckily, the signs of a failing alternator are fairly easy to spot. They include:

• A lit alternator or battery warning light
• Lighting and car radio malfunctions
• A dead battery
• A burning smell under the hood
• An alternator fluid leak
• An overly tight alternator belt
• A squealing engine
• Electrical failure

If you see them, inspect and test your vehicle's charging system: plug in a code reader. If results demand, change your alternator right away. Otherwise, install a new one about every 80,000 to 150,000 miles, or every 7 years. You'll find further details on this in the maintenance schedule in your owner's manual.

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