Symptoms of a faulty or defective alternator belt

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1. Battery indicator is on
2. Dimming or flickering interior lighting
3. Engine stalls

A faulty alternator belt can cause the battery indicator to turn on, the lights in the vehicle to dim or flicker, and the engine to stall.

Keeping a car battery charged is the job of an alternator. Without this key piece of equipment, the battery would be depleted after just a short period of driving. In order for the generator to keep charging, it must keep spinning. This rotation is made possible by a belt running from the alternator pulley to the crankshaft. The belt does a very specific job, and without it, the alternator will not be able to provide the constant charge that the battery needs when the car is running.

The longer the same alternator belt is on the vehicle, the higher the risk that it will have to be replaced. The type of belt around your alternator depends solely on the make of your vehicle. Older vehicles use a V-belt for the alternator, while newer vehicles use a V-ribbed belt.

1. Battery indicator is on

When the battery indicator on the instrument cluster lights up, you need to pay attention. While this indicator doesn't tell you exactly what's wrong with your car's charging system, it is your first line of defense in dealing with problems. Looking under the hood is the best way to find out if a broken alternator belt is causing the battery light to come on.

2. Dimming or flickering interior lighting

The lighting inside your vehicle is used primarily at night. When there are problems with the charging system, these lights usually flicker or become very dim. A broken belt will prevent the alternator from doing its job and can cause your car's interior lights to dim or flicker. Replacing the belt is necessary to restore normal lighting.

3. Engine stalls

Without a properly functioning alternator and alternator belt, the power needed by the car will not be supplied. This means that when the battery runs out, the car will become unusable. If this happens on the side of a busy road or highway, it can create a lot of problems. Replacing the alternator belt is the only way to quickly get your car back on the road.