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.
Frequently Asked Questions
How Do I Know If It’s My Alternator, Starter, or Battery?
Symptoms can overlap, so testing can help identify the problem. We test the battery, alternator output, starter draw when indicated, and related connections before recommending repairs.
Should I Drive with Starting or Charging Warning Signs?
It depends on the symptom and diagnosis. Schedule an evaluation promptly, especially if you notice warning lights, dimming lights, repeated jump starts, or intermittent no-starts.
How Long Does Alternator or Starter Repair Take?
Repair timing varies by vehicle design, component accessibility, parts availability, and whether testing finds related concerns.
Will I Receive an Estimate Before Repairs Begin?
After diagnostics, we provide a written estimate and review it before you decide which services to approve.
What Warranty Applies to Alternator or Starter Repairs?
The Nice Difference warranty provides 3-year/36,000-mile coverage on qualifying work and is honored at Christian Brothers Automotive locations nationwide. We’ll explain how coverage applies when we review your estimate.
Do I Need an Appointment for a No-Start Diagnosis?
Scheduling an appointment helps us plan time for automotive electrical diagnostics. If your vehicle won’t start, call us to discuss the current schedule and your options for bringing it in.
Can You Explain the Findings in Simple Terms?
We explain test results and repair recommendations in everyday language, and your complimentary Digital Vehicle Inspection may include photos and videos for review.
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 have been a loyal customer of Christian Brothers Murphy TX, because of the staff and the exceptional service provided. They have always taken the time to explain the results of their mechanic’s findings and they work with me on reasonable repair co"
- John Dixon