If an alternator goes out while driving, it can cause a range of problems for the vehicle and the driver. Here are some things that can happen:

• Loss of power: If the alternator fails while driving, the car may slowly lose power, and the headlights may start to dim. This is because the alternator is responsible for providing electricity to the cars electrical system, and without it, the battery will eventually die.

• Dead battery: A bad alternator wont sufficiently charge the battery while the engine is running, causing the charge to deplete faster than usual. If you jumpstart your car and it stays running, your battery may need replacing soon. However, if you jumpstart the car and it dies again shortly after, it might mean your alternator isn’t getting enough power to the battery.

• Malfunctioning accessories: An alternator that isn’t supplying enough power to your car’s electronics often results in slow or non-working accessories. For example, your windows may take longer than usual to roll up or down, or your speedometer and other instruments may start going haywire.

• Stalling: If the battery dies due to a bad alternator, the car may stall and fail to restart.

If you know your alternator is busted, you shouldn’t drive the vehicle, as it’s likely to die while driving, putting you and other drivers in significant danger on the road. If the alternator fails while driving, the best thing to do is to try and maneuver the vehicle off the road as safely and cautiously as possible.