Battery, Starter & Alt System

Electrical System

A vehicle’s electrical system has three primary components: battery, starter, and alternator.
All three work together to start and run your car and if one fails you may be able to get the engine to turn over, but it may not operate for long.

1. Your battery provides power before you start the vehicle (ie/interior lights, dashboard indicators), and it's responsible for powering anything that requires electricity. This includes your ignition system as well as any computer onboard - if there isn't enough power then nothing will happen.
2. The starter motor is what starts your engine. It takes power from the battery and in turn rotates to make it go! When that happens, the piston moves up then down with oxygen so they can do their job of making gas come out at high pressure for fuel efficiency--and you're good to move. If the starter fails, the other parts do not move and neither do you.
3. The alternator is a key component of your car's electrical system. It ensures that the battery gets charged and maintained by generating electricity when needed, which powers everything from lights to computers. If the alternator on your car is not working properly, you may experience battery drain or even lose all power.
   
   

Sign of a Faulty Starter

The starter is a crucial component of your car that helps turn the engine over. If you hear clicking or whirring noises from it when trying to start up, this could be an indication for repair as well! Your technician will have extensive knowledge about grinders and how they affect different vehicles so don't hesitate to contact us.

Signs of a Faulty Alternator

-The car battery warning light is on and stays lit after starting the engine.
- Vehicle is not starting or difficult to start due to the lack of charge
-Electrical accessories such as audio system, fan, computers are not working because there is not enough power.

Our technicians have the expertise to test your charging system (including the battery) diagnose belt problems or replace the alternator.

If you tow a trailer or have additional electrical devices in your car, such as computers and DVD players (or even just tablets), then a heavy dirty alternator with more power will be able to handle the extra load.

Make sure your battery is fully charged! Upon inspection of your vehicle by a Ford-trained technician, we have determined your battery is “in the red” as indicated on your Vehicle Report Card.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN? A battery that is found to be “in the red” requires immediate attention. A failed battery may lead to:

• Inability to start vehicle
• Expensive tow charges
• Inconvenience
  
  

ASK YOUR DEALER HOW TO GET YOUR BATTERY INTO THE GREEN!

Some warning signs of a failing battery are:

• DIM HEADLIGHTS> A failing battery may not be able to fully power your vehicle’s electrical components such as your headlights.
• BATTERY AGE > If your battery is more than 3 years old, it may start to fail.
• SLOW TO START > If your vehicle seems more sluggish than normal when starting, the battery may be failing.
• HEAVY CORROSION OR FILM > Visible blue corrosion or a clear film on the top of the battery case indicates your battery is leaking battery acid or emitting acidic fumes.

EXPERT TIPS • If the battery has been identified as being “in the yellow”, your battery is already showing signs of failure and it’s only a matter of time before it fails. Don’t get stuck or stranded when your battery fails and your car won’t start. Replace the battery when it’s “in the yellow” and when your car is in for service to avoid costly emergency towing and replacement costs • A failing battery can cause strain on the alternator which can lead to more expensive repairs down the road, including the replacement of both the battery and the alternator, and any associated parts • Jump starting a battery may re-start a dead battery, but it is a short-term fix • The changing climate in Canada can be hard on batteries. Extreme heat and cold can aect the life of the battery

Select Motorcra­ft® batteries have a no-extra charge replacement up to 36 months* and no-extra charge towing when installed by a Ford or Lincoln dealer.