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The alternator is a component that is easy to ignore until something goes wrong with it. When you start your engine, the battery supplies the change to the starter. Once your car is moving, your alternator supplies the electrical power to your car's systems and also charges the battery as you drive. An alternator can fail, and these are the signs to watch for. If you need an alternator repair in New Carrollton, MD your car dealer can help you. 1. Damaged Electrical Connections The alternator is a dynamo that creates electrical power through your car's movement. This power is distributed to all the electrical systems in your car via wires and cables. Individual cables can suffer wear, and if they do, they will have greater difficulty in distributing power. Some of your electrical systems may start to suffer intermittent problems. more Damaged wiring will prevent power from reaching the necessary components and the wiring will start to heat up. If you smell the odor of hot wire or burning plastic, these can be signs of damaged wiring. The smell is very unpleasant, and burning plastic emits toxic chemicals. We advise calling us immediately, and our skilled technicians can check and repair or replace any damaged wiring. 2. Dead Battery A battery, especially if it is five or more years old, can simply fail due to age. If your car battery is relatively new and it fails, this can be a sign of an alternator problem. The alternator charges your battery as your car drives, but as the alternator starts to wear out it becomes less efficient at generating power. Eventually, the alternator will not generate enough power to charge your battery, and the battery will run down. Under normal conditions, your alternator should last for approximately eight years before it wears out. Maintaining a regular service schedule for your car is important, as our technicians check your vehicle's components and can spot signs of wearing parts. Regular checks also help to maintain all the components and increase their lifespan. 3. Starting and Stalling Problems The battery supplies power to start your engine, but a battery's power can run down very quickly. If your alternator is failing and it is not able to supply enough power to your battery to charge it, your car will experience starting difficulties. When you start the ignition, you should be rewarded with the purr of your car’s engine. If there is a delay, this is a sign of a charging issue. Stalling can be extremely dangerous depending on where you are driving when it happens. The alternator supplies electrical power to your spark plugs for them to ignite the fuel. If your alternator fails, the spark plugs won't spark, and your car can simply stop dead. Get Your Alternator Repair at Our Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, RAM Dealer in New Carrollton, MD Now you know some of the signs of an alternator failure, if you experience any of them call us right away at DARCARS Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM of New Carrollton. Do you need other auto repairs in New Carrollton? We have a comprehensive list of repairs that we do here at our Service Department.

The Chrysler Pacifica is a sleek minivan with room for several passengers. The 2020 model has just a few changes, including a lineup that now starts with the Touring model, and the addition of an optional Red S Appearance package. The latest version of the Pacifica now offers a dual-pane panoramic sunroof for any of the gas-powered models, and the hybrid model comes with a honeycomb grille. Here's what you need to know about the 2020 Chrysler Pacifica. more The New Model Lineup There are now four main trim levels for the Pacifica. The Touring is the base trim for 2020 and comes with 17-inch wheels, heated side door mirrors, and fog lights. It also has a power liftgate, power sliding doors, and keyless entry. Additions to the Touring L include roof rails and some upgrades in the cabin, while the Touring L Plus adds more technology. The Limited is the top-level trim and comes with 18-inch wheels, LED fog lights, and Xenon headlights. It also has power-folding side mirrors, an auto-dimming mirror on the driver's side, hands-free power sliding doors, and a hands-free liftgate. The Engine and Performance All Pacifica's have a 3.6-liter V-6 engine with 287 horsepower, and they come with front-wheel drive. A nine-speed automatic transmission smoothly shifts through the gears while getting you up to speed. This minivan is more fuel-efficient than others in its class, with an EPA rating of 19 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The hybrid version gets even better mileage with its two electric motors, in addition to the V-6. The Technology The Pacifica comes with a 7-inch touch screen display in the Touring model, along with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The Touring L Plus adds a larger 8.4-inch touch screen, along with a navigation system, a Wi-Fi hot spot, and a 115-volt power outlet. This model also adds a rear-seat entertainment system with a Blu-ray player and an upgraded 13-speaker Alpine stereo system. A 20-speaker Harman Kardon stereo is an available option depending on the trim. The Packages The S Appearance Package adds black badging, 18-inch or 20-inch alloy wheels with a Black Noise finish, black exterior accents, and a black Stow ‘n Place roof rack. The new Red S Appearance Package adds red accents instead of black and comes with two-tone red and black Nappa leather seats with gray contrast stitching. It also has silver metal trim on the instrument cluster and on the door. The Cabin Depending on how you have the 2020 Pacifica configured, it can hold seven or eight passengers. The driver's seat has an eight-way power-adjustable feature and cloth upholstery comes standard. The higher trims add leather upholstery, along with heated front and second-row seats and power-folding third row seats. You can also get a leather-wrapped and heated steering wheel. The 2020 Chrysler Pacifica is the ultimate family vehicle. It has a sleek interior, technology for everyone, and the latest safety features.