Starters and alternators, along with your battery, help start your vehicle’s engine and keep it running, and they work together to power your car’s electrical system. When one of them fails, the result is often a car that won’t start, but that doesn’t automatically mean you have a major engine problem.
Batteries
Frank’s Auto Repair sells Interstate batteries and has most sizes in stock. They come with a free replacement if the battery fails within the first two years. After two years, the warranty is prorated.
A car battery typically lasts 3 to 5 years. Extreme temperatures, short driving trips and electrical load all affect its lifespan, and New Jersey’s hot summers and cold winters put extra stress on it. Check the battery terminals for corrosion or loose connections.
Signs of a weak or dead battery include:
- slow engine cranking
- rapid clicking when you turn the key
- dim interior or dashboard lights
- electrical accessories that don’t work normally
A jump-start may get you running, but it doesn’t explain why the battery lost its charge. If the problem returns, testing is a better approach than jump-starting the car again and again.
Starters and alternators
Common signs of a problem in your starting or charging system:
- no crank or a slow crank when you turn the ignition key
- an electrical system dashboard light that stays on (usually the battery light)
- loss of power in accessories, or erratic electrical system function
- blown fuses
If your lights and accessories work but the engine still won’t turn over, the starter may be the cause: you might hear a single click, repeated clicking or a grinding sound. If your battery keeps going dead, the alternator may not be recharging it. A click doesn’t prove the starter needs replacing, though, because the battery, connections and relays can cause the same symptoms. We test the starting and charging systems to find the actual cause before parts are replaced.
Our posts on why your car won’t start and common electrical issues in your car go into more detail.
Bulbs and lamps
Frank’s Auto Repair stocks most bulbs and lamps, and if we need to order one, we can have most at our shop fairly quickly.
If your car is slow to start or won’t start at all, request an appointment.