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Starter Repair & Alternator Rebuilds

alternator starter repair

You rely on your vehicle’s starter each time you get into your car to drive. The starter uses power from the battery to spin the flywheel and give your engine the jumpstart it needs to turn on. The alternator provides the battery with power by recharging the system on a continual basis.

Common Starter & Alternator Complaints

As the main components in the starter begin to wear out, you will notice that your car cranks slowly or weakly when you turn the key. This occurs when the equipment struggles to turn the flywheel at the proper speed. If this continues to occur, your engine will eventually fail to activate altogether.

Alternator problems often present themselves with a faint clicking sound as you attempt to start your vehicle and eventually the alternator will stop charging the battery. At that point, your car will fail to respond when you turn the keys in the ignition.

Since both of these problems start with subtle symptoms, it's smart to have your technician diagnose and repair the worn components as early as possible.

Starter & Alternator Repair

To ensure these components are kept in perfect shape, be sure to schedule regular car maintenance. This will help avoid parts from wearing out and damaging your vehicle. A starter rebuild or alternator rebuild is also a possibility.

Starter Rebuild & Replacement

Your technician will hook up a diagnostic device to the starter, alternator and battery to determine which of the components are causing your vehicle's symptoms. Your tech will compare the readout on the display to the manufacturer's service limits to determine the faulty part. Once your technician finds the cause of the problem, the proper starter or alternator repair services can be completed.

Alternator Repair Shop

When performing alternator repairs, the technician must simply pull the damaged or defective part out of the vehicle and replace it with a new one. Most commonly, technicians perform the starter and alternator replacement by removing the old hardware and parts using a socket set and other hand tools. The replacement parts quickly bolt into the engine bay in the exact same position as the old components.

Help with Starter Repair & Alternator Replacement

If you suspect a problem with your starter or alternator, it’s best to take care of it as soon as possible to avoid further disrepair. Call your local Meineke Car Care Center as soon as you begin to hear your car struggle to start so our team of certified technicians can properly inspect and diagnose it.

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Alternator & Starter FAQs

There are several signs that your alternator is failing, such as dim or flickering lights. Another common sign is the service engine light. Dead battery, electrical issues or engine stalling are a few other symptoms of a bad alternator.

It’s not ideal, as the car will rely solely on its battery for electrical power, which will cause it to discharge. The car may stall and you won’t be able to re-start if the battery runs out.

Replacing a starter can take anywhere from 1 to 4 hours and the costs will also vary depending on the brand you choose and the car you drive. The cost can range from $150 to over $650.

Generally, starters are durable, but they can still fail by developing spots on the armature, which will cause intermittent operation. Electrical and mechanical faults can cause the starter to turn too slowly. Another sign to check your starter for failure is grinding or unusual noises.

Yes. A bad alternator will cause even a new battery to discharge and your vehicle will not start. You will then need to replace both, as charging the dead battery with a new alternator will only cause premature alternator failure.