Modern living allows us to take more for granted than ever before. One thing that we have the luxury of taking for granted, even in comparison to only thirty to forty years ago, is the reliability of our automobiles. The basic functions of our vehicles have not changed much in the century or so that we have been driving them, but their reliability certainly has. It has changed for the better. However, despite the increase in reliability, automobiles are still machines with complex moving parts that tend to operate under tremendous pressure and often with great friction. The starter and alternator in your vehicle are good examples of this. Clark Automotive has the knowledge and experience to repair these essential parts of your vehicle when they wear out or are not working correctly.
What If My Car Does Not start?
There are lots of automobile choices that come with push button starters, but your starter and alternator are very basic parts of your vehicle that keep it running. When you insert your key into the ignition switch and turn, you engage a system that works perfectly every time, and often for many years. But, over time, each turn of the ignition key in the switch serves to wear down the gears and mechanisms inside the ignition switch. As the wear and tear and age accumulates, you may begin to notice signs that your starter is no longer working as it should. If you are not so lucky, it can fail without notice, and as so often seems to happen, your starter fails far from home or in a less than convenient location.
The same is true for the alternator. Though the alternator is not subject to the kind of friction as the starter, a failure of the alternator can appear similar to the failure of the starter. In both cases, the familiar sound of the engine running does not follow the action of turning the key in the ignition switch. The alternator is responsible for turning mechanical energy into electrical energy. When you start your engine, and the battery is engaged, the alternator uses the electrical energy to power your vehicle’s radio, dashboard lights, climate control system, headlights, and other electrical systems. The alternator is an essential part of your vehicle’s ability to operate as intended.
Blaine Auto Repair Shop
If you discover a problem that seems to be related to either the starter or alternator, Clark Automotive can either fix it or replace it for you. We will explain what we find, answer your questions and give you a clear estimate of what it will cost to repair. Call us at (763) 784-7944 to schedule an appointment.
