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 ...

Leaving your engine running or idling after you jumpstart will keep the engine alive, but there's no guarantee it will ...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ...

People may think that the battery powers the electrics in your car, but that’s not the case. The battery provides electricity needed for the electric starter motor to start the car. When the car is ...

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 ...

Your car won't start for the second day in a row. You ask your neighbor for a jump (again) and head off to work — late, of course. You come to the conclusion that it has to be the battery or the ...

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 ...

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 ...