What to Expect With a Alternator and Starter Service
1. Schedule Your Appointment
Whether scheduling online or over the phone be sure and let us know what you're experiencing so we can provide fast and accurate service advice.
2. Diagnostics and Inspections
Drop off your vehicle and the shop will get to work with inspections and diagnostics using the same equipment as the manufacturers to determine issues and next steps.
3. Digital Vehicle Inspection Report and Estimate
Following the diagnosis we will text you a digital vehicle inspection report, containing pictures and videos of our findings and recommendations.
4. Review and Approval
A service advisor will reach out to walk you through the findings and recommendations to determine how you would like to proceed, or you can approve work directly in your DVI.
5. Work Performed or Scheduled
Most work can be completed immediately, or scheduled based on parts and customer availability.
Did You Know: It takes up to three football fields to safely brake in the rain?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if it is my alternator or my battery?
The only reliable way is through proper testing. Our technicians check battery health, alternator output, and starter performance with diagnostic equipment. Because these parts can create similar symptoms, testing helps avoid replacing the wrong component and keeps your costs focused on what your car actually needs.
How long does an alternator or starter replacement usually take?
Many alternator and starter jobs can be completed the same day, although exact timing depends on your vehicle and parts availability. When you schedule, we can give a more specific estimate. If you need to be somewhere during the visit, ask our team about shuttle options.
Can I keep driving if my alternator is going bad?
It is usually not a good idea to keep driving with a failing alternator. Once the battery is drained, the engine can shut off, and you may be stranded. We generally recommend having the charging system checked promptly so we can address the problem before it leads to a breakdown.
Will you call me before doing any repair work?
Yes, we review our findings with you and talk through recommended repairs before any work begins. You will have a chance to ask questions and approve the plan. We work to keep pricing clear, so there are no surprises when you pick up your vehicle.
What kind of warranty do you offer on these repairs?
Our work is backed by an industry-leading warranty that covers qualifying parts and labor. Specific terms can vary, so our team will explain how the warranty applies to your alternator or starter repair. This coverage is one more way we support your confidence in the service you receive.
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FAQs
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Q. "Why is the alternator important?"The alternator helps the battery maintain power. As the car is driving, it’s gaining power from the engine. During this time, the alternator is charging the battery. When the car stops running, the charge from the alternator allows the battery to continue providing power to the car.
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Q. "What does the alternator do?"As an alternate source of power, the alternator helps many features in the car run. It helps your air conditioning maintain proper airflow, powers the radio, and turns on the headlights, among other things. It can also add power to the engine.
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Q. "Where is the alternator located?"You’ll typically find the alternator near the front of the engine, bolted in with two brackets. One is adjustable (to allow for drive belt-tightening) while the other is fixed.
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Q. "What are some signs that my starter is going bad?"Some common symptoms that your starter is going bad or is dead include: clicking or other odd noises, lights working in your car but the engine won't turn, taking more than one attempt to start, or smoke coming from the hood.
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Q. "Do you offer a warranty?"As part of our Nice difference.® commitment to providing our customers the best auto service experience possible, we also offer a3-year/36,000-mile warranty on all the work that we do. We offer this warranty at every Christian Brothers Automotive nationwide, and it will be honored at any location, regardless of which branch did the initial work.
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Q. "What is a Digital Vehicle Inspection?"With a complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection (DVI) on every visit, you’ll see firsthand photos of your vehicle from under the hood. We’ll let you know if everything is functioning properly or if there are any areas of concern. You can even approve or deny our service recommendations, all straight from your smartphone, or you can, of course, give us a call and we’ll explain our findings in further detail.
Have more Questions?
Our friendly auto service experts have the answers.
Call your local Christian Brothers Automotive car shop today
Hear What Our Customers Had to Say About Us
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"Will and Brad have wonderful customer service. i have had several items taken Care of by the castle hills location And have Always been satisfied. My Alternator was replaced at a much lower cost than i was expecting and they even Returned My car to me when"
- Susan raiford