Your vehicle's alternator belt is the part of the alternator that works to actually create motion, creating a sort of miniature generator with which your alternator charges your car's battery with. Due to the important nature of the alternator belt's function, any sort of damage or wear can have serious implications on the performance of your vehicle. Understanding the warning signs of an alternator belt that needs to be replaced can help you contact a mechanic before it becomes a serious issue for you and your car.

Warning Lights

The first sign that your car's alternator belt has become damaged or has begun to fail is if the battery warning light comes on. However, this should be taken with a grain of salt: the issue could lie with your alternator or the battery itself instead. If the battery warning light comes on alongside some of the other symptoms of a failing alternator belt, then the issue likely lies with the belt, but if not you should get a mechanic to inspect your battery and alternator assembly to locate the problem.

Dimmed Lights

If you suspect that something is wrong with your alternator belt, you should keep an eye on your interior car lights. If they are dimmed or flicker in intensity fairly regularly, your alternator belt is likely to blame. This is because a damaged alternator belt will not produce enough energy to maintain your automotive battery's charge, which in turn can affect the performance of the electrical components of your vehicle, the most obvious of which are your interior lights. You should have a mechanic inspect your alternator belt, especially if the problem worsens or even spreads to your headlights or other systems, like the radio or air conditioner.

Engine Stalling

If your alternator belt is extremely worn and barely functioning at all (or even completely broken), it can result in actual engine stalling, no matter what speed you are travelling at. This can be a serious safety hazard, and can leave you in the middle of the freeway without power to your vehicle, greatly increasing the risk of an accident or collision occurring. If you notice that your car frequently stalls on trips of a moderate or longer length, especially when coupled with dimmed lights and trouble starting your engine, your alternator belt is likely in need of replacement and you should head to a mechanic, like AutoMedics, at the first opportunity that you have.