What to Expect at Christian Brothers Automotive Fishers
From the moment you schedule to the moment you drive away, we keep you informed. Central Indiana’s seasonal temperature swings place real demands on starting and charging systems, and Fishers drivers deserve a shop that takes that seriously. Our process comes down to one goal: an honest answer and a dependable repair.
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.
The alternator is typically mounted near the front of the engine and secured to the engine block, with the mounting hardware designed to keep the drive belt properly tensioned.
The alternator is driven by the engine’s serpentine belt. A worn or loose belt can reduce alternator output, which is why we inspect the drive belt whenever we’re working on the charging system.
A dashboard battery or charging system warning light is often one of the first signs that the alternator or starting system needs attention.
Battery, Starter, or Alternator: What’s Actually Causing the Problem?
When a car won’t start, most people assume the battery is dead. That’s sometimes true, but the starter and alternator can be involved too. Knowing the difference helps you ask the right questions and catch a problem before it leaves you stranded.
The starter cranks the engine when you turn the key. If it’s failing, the engine may turn over slowly, need multiple attempts, or not respond at all. The alternator handles a different job: it recharges the battery while the engine runs and keeps electrical components like headlights and windshield wipers operating. A damaged alternator can cause erratic electrical behavior, and unlike a dead battery, it may let the engine start only to die quickly because the charging system can no longer maintain voltage.
While your vehicle is with us, our complimentary shuttle service keeps your day moving. When the work is done, it’s backed by our Nice difference.® warranty: 3 years or 36,000 miles, honored at any Christian Brothers Automotive location nationwide. Fishers and Carmel drivers can call (317) 660-2074 to get started.
Common Signs of a Failing Starter
A starter doesn’t always fail all at once. Watch for these warning signs before you end up stranded:
- Clicking sounds when you turn the key with no engine turnover
- Lights and accessories work normally but the engine won’t crank
- Multiple attempts needed before the engine starts
- Smoke coming from under the hood during a start attempt, which may indicate an electrical issue in the starter
Signs the Charging System May Be the Issue
Alternator trouble often develops gradually. Dimming or flickering headlights and interior lights are common early indicators, and needing jump starts more frequently than usual is another. If the battery warning light appears on your dashboard, the charging system is worth inspecting even if the car is still starting normally. Our team can diagnose problems across the battery, starter, and alternator and tell you plainly which one needs attention.
Your Local Christian Brothers Amenities
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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"I came in for an exhaust leak and vibration at higher speeds. The team obviously fixed the issues, but they did the repairs without up-charging with unneeded parts and labor cost. As always Church Brothers also did a very thorough walk thru of the vehicle "
- Michael