The general lifespan of a truck alternator is around 6 to 10 years or 80,000 to 150,000 miles. These timelines can end up cut short if the alternator isn’t cared for.
Every part of your truck is going to go through tremendous wear and tear as you use it. Especially as so many people drive their trucks on a daily basis.
Even the best truck alternator is going to start to have issues if it isn’t cared for. Resulting in frustrating and even dangerous issues with your truck operating later on.
You should maintain your diesel truck to help it to stay in tip-top condition. Especially if you want your alternator to last as long as it can.
Keep reading to find out more about alternator maintenance.
Why Maintenance for a Truck Alternator Is Important
Many diesel truck owners may be wondering why maintenance is so important for their trucks. After all, these vehicles are made to withstand wear and tear.
While this is true, trucks are as likely to start to experience issues as you use them. Truck alternators can especially start to have problems working correctly.
The truck’s alternator works by powering the spark plugs. If your alternator fails to do this, the spark plugs will also misfire or fail to fire completely.
When these things happen, it can result in your engine stalling. This can happen before you start driving or even when you are currently on the road.
So this is a very serious problem that you don’t want to have to deal with. The good news is that you can keep your alternator in good condition by maintaining it.
Preventative maintenance is all about maintaining your vehicle parts so that they last longer. This helps them to work better and have a longer lifespan with fewer repairs.
Not only will this keep your vehicle from stalling, but it also saves you money in the long run. It is much cheaper to maintain your alternator than to invest in an alternator replacement.
Inside the Cab
You can start your diesel truck maintenance by inspecting inside the cab. This is easy to do at home and can be done quite often to check for any issues.
When inspecting the inside of the truck, you should check the seat suspension and seat trucks. Make sure it moves and locks correctly and that the seatbelt works.
Whenever you start your truck, you should carefully listen to the ignition. Does it sound different? Is it struggling to actually start up?
These are things to watch for, as the ignition is very important. You should also check all of your truck’s lights to make sure they are functional.
Including the inside lights as well as the hazard, brake, head, and parking lights. Lights that don’t work correctly or stay on could result in a dead battery without warning.
Double-check your dashboard alerts to make sure they are accurate. These are important if something is wrong that you need to be aware of.
This is also a good time to make are your brake pedal is not too loose or tight. If anything seems off, you should schedule professional maintenance to fix the issue.
The Truck Body
Inspecting the truck body should also be something that you do very often. It is a simple thing to do, and only takes a few minutes to make sure everything is working.
You can start by checking your tire pressure to make sure no tires are going flat. This can happen if something punctures a tire or if the temperature dramatically shifts.
You should also check for any excess wear on your tires that can make them unsafe. As well as checking that the fuel tank is operating and looking as it should.
All of the hood and body fittings should be greased, and the air system should be working promptly.
Engine Maintenance
When it comes to engine maintenance, you should get used to inspecting the engine. Try to do this regularly until you get an idea of what you are looking for.
You should check all of the engine fluids to make sure nothing is running low. The radiator should also be checked for damage, cracks, or loose mountings that need to be tightened.
The mounting and wiring of your truck alternator should also be checked. All of the filters should also be checked to make sure they do not need to be replaced.
The accessory drive belts should also be examined for tension and any wear or tear. If you notice any excess wear on the engine components, you may want to hire electrical services.
Know When a Truck Alternator Needs Replacing
If you have started to notice issues with your diesel truck, it may be time to have it inspected. Alternator maintenance is important, but it doesn’t always prevent problems.
You should get your truck inspected if you notice that the lights are too bright. Or if your battery warning light comes on or your truck has a dead battery.
Frequent stalling is a common sign of alternator issues as well as strange noises when starting the engine. These could all be signs that alternator replacement may be necessary.
Preventative Maintenance for Your Truck Alternator
If you have a diesel truck, truck alternator maintenance is very important. This is something you should be doing to take better care of your alternator so that it runs well.
Do you need to have your truck’s alternator professionally checked out? Contact us today at Diesel Performance Specialist for diesel truck service options.
