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?
Understanding Your Alternator
Your car's alternator plays a vital role in its operation. While many people think a dead car is always a battery issue, the alternator is often the true cause. Think of your alternator as a small power plant for your vehicle. Its primary job is to generate electricity to keep your battery charged and to power all the electrical accessories in your car, from your headlights and windshield wipers to the radio and dashboard lights. Without a properly functioning alternator, your battery's charge will quickly deplete, leaving you stranded. When we service your vehicle, our team uses high-quality OEM parts to ensure the repair is reliable and built to last.
The Role of Your Starter
Just as the alternator powers your vehicle once it's running, the starter is responsible for getting the process going. The starter is an electric motor that cranks your engine to begin the combustion process. If your car won't start, or you hear a clicking sound when you turn the key, the issue may be with your starter. Starter problems can arise from a variety of causes, including electrical failure, mechanical issues, or simply from old age. Our technicians at Christian Brothers Automotive Miramesa are skilled at identifying the exact problem, whether it's a worn-out component or a faulty connection, and we'll provide the right solution to get your engine roaring to life again.
Partner With Our Cypress Team
When your car is acting up, the symptoms of a bad battery, starter, or alternator can often overlap, making it difficult to pinpoint the real issue. You may experience dimming lights, a dashboard warning light, or a complete failure to start. Rather than guessing, bring your vehicle to our Cypress location. Our comprehensive diagnostic process is designed to accurately identify the source of your vehicle's starting or charging problems. We'll perform a thorough inspection, not just of the alternator and starter, but of the entire system to ensure we catch any underlying issues. Our approach is to be your trusted partner in car care, providing transparent, honest advice and expert service to keep your vehicle running smoothly.
When you trust our team with your vehicle, you're not just getting a repair—you're getting peace of mind. Our friendly, knowledgeable team is here to help you understand what's happening with your car and provide a reliable solution to get you back on the road safely and efficiently.
Don't get stranded by a failing battery or starter. Schedule your service in Cypress today to keep your car running smoothly. Book a service online or call (832) 734-9401.
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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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"I had been trying for hours to get my annual vehicle inspection done. I had stopped by several places, and called at least a half dozen more, but everywhere I tried, the necessary equipment was not working because of some system-wide problem. What a blessi"
- Mary Catherine T