What does an alternator do?

The alternator is the device responsible for generating electricity to charge the battery. It’s coupled with the engine drive, which means whenever the car is running, the battery is being charged. Without a charged battery there is no delivery of power to the electrical components or to generate the sparks used to combust the fuel in the engine.

Hyundai

The Hyundai Motor Company (or Hyundai Motors) is a South Korean multination automotive manufacturer, founded in 1967, with current divisions that include Kia Motors and Genesis Motor.

How popular is Hyundai in the United Kingdom?

Since arriving in the UK market, Hyundai has made a steady and consistent rise in sales, to the point where there are now over 850k of their cars on our roads today.

Well-priced luxury cars with a fantastic warranty

Predominantly producing an extensive range of smart looking hatchback cars of quality and price to compete with Ford, Vauxhall and Volkswagen, perhaps their rising sales figures can be partly put down to holding one of the best warranties for a new car in the business.

Their 5-year, unlimited-mileage warranty offers the peace of mind any new car owner would be thrilled to receive, given that most marques only offer 3 years with around 60k miles of cover.

Hyundai doesn’t solely offer a range of varying hatchback models; the current full line-up features tourers, coupes and of course, as the leading trend in today’s market, a selection of SUV models of varying sizes, trims and price tags.

Hyundai electric hybrid technology

Hyundai, as have most marques during the growth of new fuel technologies, has shown a strong entry into all electric and hybrid motoring. The brand’s Ioniq Hybrid model proved more efficient than Toyota’s Prius, the world’s first mainstream and possibly the most popular hybrid car on the road today.

Motorsport: Hyundai’s subcompact rally car

Entering motorsport in the late 1990s, Hyundai unveiled its Accent WRC (world rally car) to compete in the World Rally Championship. It achieved its first top-10 result in the 2000 Rally Argentina and continued to finish well throughout the season, but not quite well enough to compete with the top 3 or 4 teams.

In 2014, Hyundai made a return to world rallying after a 10-year absence, with the introduction of their i20 WRC; a rally car based on the i20 subcompact and was unveiled at the 2012 Paris Motor Show.

How often should an alternator need replacing?

An alternator typically lasts around 7 years or between 100k and 150k miles.

The law, vehicle regulations and your MOT

Without a correctly functioning alternator, your car is unlikely to hold enough charge in the battery to drive for any purposeful length of time. Having said that, the alternator won’t be tested during an MOT, so as long as the battery has enough charge for the engine and other electrical components to run for the duration of the examination, then it can still achieve a pass. We do not recommend this in any circumstance. If there is a problem with your alternator, you should have it repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

What happens when we replace your alternator?

• Our efficient and fully qualified mechanics will test the voltage output of the alternator, inspect the car’s electrical systems and all alternator ancillaries (drive belts, cables, etc.).

• Wherever necessary, the alternator will be replaced, and you will be advised of any other connected or associated problems arising from its malfunction.

• You will also be advised of any other parts that may need to be replaced for the best operation and health of your vehicle.

• Once the faulty alternator has been replaced, our mechanics will test it thoroughly to ensure the correct running of the new part and make any adjustments required for its premium operation.

What causes an alternator to stop working correctly?

An alternator might break down due to a bearing failure, preventing the rotor from spinning freely. Fluid leaks or a too tight belt (or a loose belt slipping) can also cause damage and premature wearing.

Symptoms of a malfunctioning alternator

When the battery is flat

If your battery is flat and refuses to accept charge through normal driving, then your alternator could be the problem.

The lights aren’t as bright as normal

If your headlamps aren’t as bright as normal or the function of other electrical components is weak, your alternator may not be supplying as much charge to the battery as it needs.

The battery warning light is illuminated on the dashboard

All warning lights are an indicator that a sensor has detected a failed component or poor operation. A battery warning light could be connected to your alternator performance.