Does Your Porsche Need an Alternator Repair?

Your Porsche has numerous systems and devices, all of which depend on electricity. The alternator is a mini generator in your engine that generates electricity. Like any other component, an alternator can weaken or get damaged, and this will affect your car’s electrical systems. As your Porsche dealer, we’d like you to know some signs that you need to visit us for an alternator repair.

Worn Battery

A worn or damaged battery can damage a healthy alternator. This can happen as one of the priorities of the alternator is to recharge your battery. When you start your engine, the battery uses a large percentage of its stored electricity to power the starter motor. Once your engine is running, the alternator starts recharging the battery and replacing the lost electricity.

An alternator charges at full power for only five minutes. After five minutes, it switches to charging at 10% of the battery capacity. This occurs as recharging at full power can overstrain an alternator. If your battery is damaged, it doesn’t signal the first charge has been received. Your alternator will continue to charge at full power, and this damages the alternator. Our technicians will need to check your alternator and repair or replace it.

Burning Insulation

The electrical systems in your Porsche are connected to the electrical system by a vast network of cables and wires. These wires carry electricity from the alternator to every device and component. The wires and cables are protected against the heat, grease, and dirt inside the engine by thick plastic or rubber insulation.

Wiring is delicate, even when it’s as carefully protected as the wiring in your Porsche. It can slowly abrade due to the slight movements as you drive. Worn wiring can fray or even break. Broken wiring won’t conduct electricity, but it will heat up as electricity continues to flow through it. The heat from the electrical current can cause the insulation to burn. We’ll test your wiring and remove and replace any damaged sections.

Battery Warning Light

The battery warning light signals a problem in the electrical system. This light will automatically activate if sensors in the electrical system detect any potential problem. This warning light doesn’t specifically apply to the alternator, but it does highlight an issue with the electrical system. A worn alternator is one of the problems that can trigger this light.

Your alternator produces approximately 14.5 volts, but this power drops as the alternator wears out. If the output from the alternator drops to 12 volts or less, the warning light will come on. We’ll examine the alternator to determine if it’s the cause of the problem.

If you experience any problems with the alternator or electrical system, call us right away at Porsche Lincolnwood.

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