Owning a car might be the biggest, and worst, waiting game on the planet. Every single day that you step into the driver’s seat and wonder, “What might go wrong?” We’re not just talking rust buckets, ...

The alternator in your vehicle is not a disposable item like the engine oil, automatic transmission fluid (ATF), or radiator coolant. The average lifespan of an alternator is around 80,000 to 150,000 ...

The alternator in my daily driver 2003 BMW 530i just died. Before I delve into the nuts and bolts of the replacement, it’ll be useful to give you the context on alternators in daily driven modern cars ...

An alternator is a generator that produces the electricity stored in a vehicle’s 12-volt battery and powers the starter motor for the engine and the various computers, lights, power windows and locks, ...

A faulty alternator not only makes the safe operation of a car impossible but can significantly damage the entire vehicle. For instance, faults in the electrical part of the alternator lead to severe ...

Alternator trouble is a very common occurrence, and unless you live with a silver spoon in your mouth and have a dedicated person to do your dirty work, alternator trouble is in your future. When it ...

If it’s less than 14 volts, there’s a nut on the alternator’s B+ terminal that connects to a thick wire that transfers the power from the alternator to the battery. If that nut is at all loose or ...

Your alternator is arguably one of the most important parts of your engine. Usually found attached to the front of the block, it’s responsible for keeping your battery charged as you drive down the ...

Zak is new to the CarBuzz team, working as a freelance content writer. When Zak isn't writing How To articles for CarBuzz he's working as a high school automotive technology instructor. Before ...

When assessing your street rod's charging system, it's important to understand how an alternator works and what other factors may affect its performance. Simply put, alternators are converters. They ...

A dead battery rarely acts alone. When a vehicle refuses to start, most people blame freezing temperatures or an old battery and move on. But a failing alternator often sits behind the scenes, quietly ...