Did you ever had this trouble trying to start your car in the morning and it doesn’t work ? If that didn’t happen to you, perhaps you’ve already had that fear. So when you perceive an alternator noise on Volvo XC90, you can already imagine yourself breaking down, stuck waiting for the tow truck. That’s why our team has decided to produce this content to support you locate the sources of alternator sounds. In this article, you will first discover the role and functions of the alternator in your Volvo XC90 and then what the causes and solutions to alternator noise on Volvo XC90 may be.
Role and alternator operation Volvo XC90
Alternator role
Your alternator is an important component of your Volvo XC90. Indeed, its task is to provide power to your entire electrical system: headlights, interior lighting, signalling, computer… It will have the goal of charging the battery once the car is in motion, to provide power to the car in motion and to let you to always have a sufficient energy source to be able to restart the next time.
Alternator functioning
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The alternator functions on an electrical principle that has been used for decades, the principle of copper coil wound around a magnet . This coil while rotating creates electricity. It is the engine motor itself that will provide the energy needed by the alternator to generate the energy, via the accessory belt or alternator belt. When your Volvo XC90 engine stops, the battery takes over to provide the car with energy.
What are the distinctive alternator noises or sounds on my Volvo XC90 and what are the causes?
I find out a knocking noise caused by the alternator of my Volvo XC90
One of the characteristic noises of a tired alternator on Volvo XC90 is a knocking noise. This alternator sound on Volvo XC90 will most of the time occur when your engine is idling, it can be linked to voltage drops that could affect the normal operation of electrical elements such as headlights for example. In most cases, it is a of both bearings of the alternator that is malfunctioning, to examine it, use a multimeter on the terminals of your car with the engine running and you must obtain a value between 12 and 14.7 volts, which means that your alternator is charging your battery well. If the value is lower, the alternator of your Volvo XC90 is tired and you should consider replacing the bearing if it is the only reason otherwise the whole part.
I perceive a grinding noise coming from the alternator of my Volvo XC90
If you are in the situation where the alternator of your Volvo XC90 produces grinding sounds, in this case you will have to look into it more seriously. This warning sign can testify as for the knocking sound of a tired bearing, however , in general, we often see by looking more carefully that it is the accessory belt that is loosened or worn and is therefore the reason of it. In this case, we suggest that you look for advice this content to find all the necessary details to solve an accessory belt noise on Volvo XC90.
I perceive a loud noise from the alternator of my Volvo XC90
Finding out a loud noise from the alternator of your Volvo XC90 is quite regular, in fact, it emits an audible sound when producing the electrical pulses it generates. It is up to you to examine that the battery indicator light on your dashboard does not appear, and that you do not have a voltage drop when your engine is running (headlight or dashboard light that jumps for example. If this noise is too loud, we suggest that you have a look this content to find other ways to solve problem of noises from front end on Volvo XC90.
