Electrical
Battery, starter or alternator: how to tell them apart
Three different parts, three different symptoms, and one very common mistake: replacing the battery when the alternator killed it.
· 6 min read
Read the symptom
Battery: slow crank, dash lights dim heavily, clicks, but jump-starts fine and then dies again after sitting. Starter: a single loud click or nothing at all while the lights stay bright. Alternator: the vehicle starts, then dies while driving, the battery light comes on, or headlights dim at idle.
Why we test before we replace
A failing alternator destroys a healthy battery in weeks. Selling you a battery without load-testing the charging system is how people end up buying two batteries in one year. We test the battery, the charging output and the voltage drop on the cables before quoting anything.
Can it wait?
A weak battery in November will strand you in January. A failing alternator will strand you this week. Neither is worth gambling on.
Bone says: here's why
Why test instead of just swapping the battery? Because a bad alternator eats new batteries for breakfast, and you paid for that battery.
Let's keep your vehicle healthy.
Tell us the vehicle, the location and what you're noticing. We'll come to your home, workplace or business.