Getting your starting or charging system repaired at Christian Brothers Automotive Newnan is straightforward from the first call to picking up your keys.
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.
Stranded? We Make the Wait Easier
If your vehicle won’t start, the last thing you need is to sit in a waiting room all day. Our complimentary shuttle service picks you up and drops you off so you can keep your day moving while we work through the diagnosis. And when our technicians find something, you won’t just hear about it over the phone. Our free Digital Vehicle Inspection sends you actual photos from under the hood so you can see exactly what they see before approving any repair.
Starter vs. Alternator: What Each One Does
The starter is an electric motor with one job: engage the engine long enough for it to begin running on its own. Once the engine fires, the starter’s role is finished. The alternator takes over from there, recharging the battery and powering the vehicle’s electrical components, including headlights, wipers, and the ignition system, through a belt driven off the engine.
That distinction matters for diagnosis. A bad starter typically prevents the engine from cranking at all. A failing alternator often lets the engine start normally but causes it to die shortly after, because the battery is draining without being replenished. Treating one as the other wastes time and money, which is why we test both before recommending a repair.
Schedule Alternator & Starter Service in Newnan
Whether your vehicle won’t start, your battery warning light is on, or you’re seeing flickering lights, we can find the cause and repair the issue. Call (470) 523-7977 or schedule online to bring your vehicle to Christian Brothers Automotive Newnan in Newnan.
What a Charging & Starting System Diagnosis Involves
Before any part is replaced, our technicians work through a systematic testing process. Battery voltage and load capacity are checked first, because a weak battery can mimic both starter and alternator symptoms, and ruling it out early helps prevent misdiagnosis.
From there, a charging system test measures the alternator’s voltage output while the engine runs. A healthy alternator holds output within a specific range; output outside that range points to an internal failure or a worn serpentine belt no longer driving it efficiently. On the starter side, testing may include listening for the characteristic single click of a solenoid failure versus the rapid clicking of a weak connection, and in some cases a bench test to confirm whether the motor itself has failed.
Each step serves the same purpose: pinpoint the failed component so the repair addresses the actual problem rather than replacing parts that weren’t the cause.
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 liked the customer service and going above and beyond to make sure I was comfortable while waiting in the store for my vehicle work to be done, specifically being offered a nice hot coffee with creamer."
- J.L.