In order for your Kia car, SUV, van, or MPV to start, you need ignition. That comes about thanks to your battery and spark plugs working together to produce the electricity that generates the fire portion of the combustion process. However, your alternator is the part that produces most of the electricity that your vehicle use.

How Do Kia Alternators Work?

It all starts with the crankshaft taking the engine pistons' vertical motion and converting it into a rotary motion. That moves a belt that's connected to a pulley on your rotor shaft. Coils inside the shaft create a magnetic field when they get agitated by that motion. The field is captured by a rectifier as AC power, and then converted to the DC power that powers your battery, headlights, entertainment system, and other components.

How Do You Spot Alternator Issues?

Unfortunately, even the highest quality alternator can begin to go bad over time. When that happens, your vehicle's battery becomes the sole source of electricity. The demand placed on it will drain it quickly, causing systems to stop working and potentially leaving you stranded by the side of the road. Signs of trouble include:

The power windows stop working

Your headlights dim or flicker

Your entertainment system acts up

You hear a whining noise from your engine

Your battery keeps dying

Where Can You Buy Genuine Kia Alternators at Affordable Prices?

Right here, in our online auto parts center. We have yours in stock and priced far below the MSRP -- up to 35% less, as a matter of fact!