Alternators
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An alternator is part of your car’s electrical system. It charges your battery to power the ignition and other parts of your car. If it stops working, your car’s other electrical parts might fail, which is risky for your road safety. Enter your vehicle registration number and we’ll show you the correct alternator for your car, alongside other products designed for your vehicle.
Buy online and have your car parts delivered for free if you spend over £20, or use our free Click and Collect service and we’ll ship the parts to your local Halfords store.
What does an alternator do?
When you turn your engine on, rotors in the alternator spin to convert energy created by the engine’s crankshaft. It works by turning mechanical energy into electric energy, which charges the vehicle’s battery. This then powers your car's electrical parts and lighting system.
The voltage regulator is one of the most important components in your car's alternator. This is responsible for ensuring the current flow to the battery remains steady. As with all electricals, the charging system can fail for multiple reasons, whether that’s damaged cables, a drained battery, or simply becoming worn over time.
How long do alternators last?
Usually, you can drive 80,000-150,000 miles before you need an alternator replacement. That said, the lifespan of alternators differs depending on your vehicle make and model, as well as other factors like whether there’s any damage to your car.
Replacing spark plugs
Alternator replacement costs vary depending on the make, model, and specifications of your vehicle. At Halfords, we have a huge range of alternator parts for all car makes and models. To find suitable products for your car, enter your registration number and we’ll match you with the alternator that fits your car.
Once you’ve found the alternator you need, use our convenient Click and Collect service to get hold of your parts sooner. Prefer to have them delivered? Opt for delivery at checkout. If you’re still unsure which alternator you need, head down to your local Halfords store where one of our colleagues will be happy to help you out.
Alternator FAQs
Common warning signs to look out for include:
- Battery warning light alerts
- Dim, extremely bright, or flickering exterior and interior lights
- The vehicle stalls frequently or won’t start
- Accessories aren’t functioning correctly, e.g., windows taking longer to put up or down
- Growing, whining, or whirring noises while driving
- The smell of burning rubber or wires
- Dead battery
At Halfords, we’ve been supplying DIY mechanics with everything they need to fix their cars for over 100 years. You can buy a new alternator to fit yourself, but if you’re not confident in your DIY skills, just head to your local Halfords store and we’ll be happy to fit it for you.
We stock a huge range of alternators for all car makes and models, including Vauxhall, BMW, VW, Audi, Citroen, and Alfa Romeo. Some of our alternator brands including Bosch, Lucas, RTX, and Starline. Use our registration search tool to find the correct alternator for your vehicle. You can also visit a local Halfords garage for advice.
Energy created by the engine’s crankshaft is converted from mechanical energy to electrical energy by the alternator. The process creates electrical energy which charges the battery, and begins with a rotor which sits within the alternator and spins as the engine is turned on. The process itself is called induction, and is the reason behind all the working electrical & lighting components on your car.
One of the most important components in the car alternator is the voltage regulator, which is responsible for making sure the current flow to the battery remains steady. As with all electricals, multiple factors may cause the charging system to fail, such as worn, damaged cables or a drained battery.
It is difficult to say exactly how long an alternator will last as it depends on individual factors, but it is expected to have a lifespan of around 80,000-150,000 miles.
At Halfords, we have a huge range of alternator parts for all car makes and models. The alternator cost depends on the make, model and specification of your vehicle. To find suitable products for your car, enter your registration number into the tool provided and we’ll match you with the products that fit your car. Once you’ve found the products you need, use our convenient click & collect service to get hold of your products sooner. Prefer to have them delivered? Opt for delivery at checkout. If you’re still unsure which products you need, head down to your local Halfords store where one of our colleagues will be happy to help you out.