Every battery we sell is less than 150 days old and comes with a 6-Year Club Assist Battery Warranty. When you have your battery inspected at your next visit to AAA Car Care, we will check your alternator, too.
If your alternator or battery needs to be replaced, we can easily do that for you
.
Can a mechanic fix an alternator?
If you have a problem with your car alternator not charging, you should have a mechanic look at it immediately.
Lube Mobile mechanics carry an extensive range of parts so they can fix the problem right away
.
How long does it take a mechanic to fix an alternator?
In general, it will take
about two hours
for you to replace an alternator on your own, though this could vary somewhat depending on your knowledge of car mechanics. If you take your car into a shop in order to have the alternator replaced, timing may vary somewhat, and you may have to leave the car for the day.
What causes an alternator to fail?
Most of the time, alternators fail as a result of
age or use
. However, some other factors can cause an alternator to fail prematurely. Fluid leaking on the car alternator can commonly lead to failure. Often, engine oil or power steering fluid can work its way into the alternator and cause it to malfunction or fail.
Can you fix an alternator without replacing it?
Rebuilding an alternator is a fairly simple procedure, which anyone with basic automotive knowledge can accomplish
. Although the construction of some brands will vary slightly, the basic anatomy of an alternator consists of the same components.
How much does AAA charge to replace an alternator?
Even simple brake repairs can run around $500, while alternator or starter replacement generally costs
between $400 and $600
, and a new timing belt will put a $400 to $900 dent in your wallet.
How do I know if my battery is bad or my alternator?
If your engine won't turn over or takes far longer than usual, it's time to grab the jumper cables and attempt a jump-start.
If your engine starts and stays running but won't start again later, it's likely a battery problem. If your vehicle immediately stalls, it's probably a bad alternator
.
Can AAA replace a fan belt?
At AAA Owned and Operated Auto Repair,
we perform the following replacement and repairs: A/C and Cooling
.
Belts
.
Why is my alternator not charging my battery?
The most common reason an alternator is not charging the battery is due to
worn carbon brushes or a damaged alternator itself
. It can also be caused by a blown fuse or bad wirings. If your serpentine belt snapped off, the alternator will, of course not charge then either.
Is replacing alternator expensive?
If only the starter is broken, the replacement cost is typically minimal. How much does an alternator cost depends on the type of vehicle.
In some models, they can run as low as $180 and for premium vehicles, they can run over $1,000
. The average cost is approximately $500.
How long should an alternator last?
How Long Does an Alternator Last? An alternator should last between
80,000 to 150,000 miles
, which usually means around 7-10 years. However, if your vehicle is driven hard around Venice or Bradenton, your alternator may need to be replaced sooner.
Does AutoZone fix alternators?
Avoid all of this hassle by
replacing your alternator and alternator parts with the help of AutoZone
.
What happens when the alternator goes out?
A bad alternator will result in
a discharged (dead) battery and cause a vehicle to not start or run
. Alternators are designed to maintain a battery's charge, not to recharge a dead battery. Your alternator's job is to maintain a consistent charge on your battery. Draining your car's battery is not advised.
Do you have to replace battery when replacing alternator?
Should the battery be replaced whenever an alternator is replaced?
It's not necessary
, however it's not uncommon for an old battery to fail when an alternator stops working. This happens because when the battery is completely drained, it deteriorates sooner.
What kills an alternator?
Running in full charge mode continuously
can kill an alternator, so trying to have your new alternator try and charge your dead battery can result in immediate alternator failure.
Do alternators go out suddenly?
When your alternator begins to fail it can cause a variety of different electrical problems in your car, and eventually cause a breakdown.
Alternators can go bad suddenly, or slowly over time
.
How can I temporarily fix my alternator?
How can I fix my alternator fast?
When replacing an alternator What else should I replace?
When replacing and alternator, other upgrades are worth doing too. Go ahead and change the
serpentine belt, tensioner and idler roller
when replacing an alternator on your car or truck.
What is the phone number for AAA roadside assistance?
(800) 222-4357
What sound does a bad alternator make?
If you're hearing a
grinding sound
in your car, this could indicate that the alternator is going bad. The grinding sound may be caused by a worn-out bearing. Your car can also make a whining sound when the voltage regulator is sending signals to the alternator to charge more than is necessary.
How long does it take for a bad alternator to drain a battery?
How Long Does It Take A Bad Alternator To Drain A Battery?
As little as 30 minutes
could pass between charges in this scenario. You might be able to get up to two hours if you are lucky. Note: If you must start the car without an alternator, do not turn off the engine once you are there.
Can an alternator ruin a battery?
If you take your vehicle to an auto parts store they may give you a new battery for a few hundred dollars, without running any tests. Don't make this mistake!
A faulty alternator could ruin a perfectly healthy battery
, which would put you further back from a solution than where you started.
