Alternator Repair

Alternator Repair Services in Gainesville, FL

One of the most important components of your car is the alternator. While the battery helps to start the car, the alternator is what keeps everything up and running. It powers all the electric components in the vehicle, from the headlights and power windows to all the dashboard elements. While the car is running, the alternator supplies all those components with direct power. It’s also responsible for charging up the battery while you’re driving.


Over time, your car experiences regular wear and tear. The average lifetime of an alternator is seven years or 150,000 miles. Since this is a crucial part of your vehicle, it’s important to keep it well-maintained. The experienced mechanics at Billy's Auto Repair & Towing have all the proper knowledge and tools to inspect your vehicle’s alternator. Whether you’re actively having problems or just want to see how it’s running, we’re here to help. 

Convenient Towing

Our 24/7 towing services have made us famous. We understand that a breakdown or an auto accident never occurs at a convenient time or place, so we try our best to make addressing the entire situation as efficient as possible. We offer lock-out services and flatbed towing as well, making us flexible to your specific needs. Billy’s Auto Repair & Towing is ready to provide the emergency towing service you need at an affordable rate.

Signs of a Failing Alternator

Noticing the signs of a failing alternator is key to preventing any further issues. Check out the following section to learn more about the signs of a failing alternator.


Dim or Overly Bright Headlights

Once the alternator begins to fail, it provides inconsistent current to all of the electronics. Typically, this appears as under or over-performing components. For instance, flickering headlights or ones that erratically switch between overly bright and dim.


Dead Battery

Generally, the lifespan of a car battery is about three to four years. After that, it’s best to replace it to prevent it from causing future issues. A battery can easily die at the end of its term or if you’ve left the headlights on. If you’ve recently replaced the car’s battery and it’s dead, there may be a deeper issue. A failing alternator won’t be able to properly charge the battery when the car is running, which can cause it to deplete faster.


The best way to determine if it’s a battery or alternator problem is to jumpstart the car. If you jumpstart the car and it stays running, it’s time to replace the battery. But, if you jumpstart the vehicle and it dies again shortly after, your alternator might not be providing enough power to the battery.


Slow or Malfunctioning Electronics

While the flickering, overly bright and dim headlights are a key sign of a bad alternator, there’s a variety of other electronics that can malfunction. A few other signs are windows that are taking longer to roll up or down, seat warmers that don’t feel as toasty, and a speedometer that’s acting up. One of the safety features in modern vehicles is a priority list that’s programmed to tell the computer where to cut power first if the alternator isn’t functioning properly. For example, a failing alternator will cause your radio to lose power before your headlights.


Frequently Stalling

The alternator supplies power to so many parts of the vehicle. While the battery is essential to starting a car, the spark plugs are what ignite the fuel and air mixture that puts the pistons in motion, which gets the vehicle up and running. If the spark plugs aren’t getting enough power from the alternator, they can cause the vehicle to stall out while driving. 

Contact Our Auto Repair Shop to Schedule an Alternator Repair Service!

If you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s time to get your vehicle checked out. Whether your car is stalling or making unusual noises, our auto repair shop is here to help. Our mechanics have years of experience in diagnosing and repairing a variety of car problems. No matter the issue, we will make sure your car is ready to take on the road. Contact our auto shop in Gainesville, FL to schedule an alternator repair service.