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How Much Does It Cost To Repair An Alternator

man looking under hood of car while on the phone

Having a vehicle that isn't operating properly — or not operating at all — can be frustrating, and it'due south difficult to figure out what the consequence is and what it might price to fix.

If you lot're dealing with a faulty alternator, the price to supercede it with a brand-new part from your vehicle's manufacturer tin can be $500 or more, depending on your vehicle. We've broken downwardly what an alternator is, how to know if yours is bad and what to expect when you need information technology replaced.

What is an alternator?

Your automobile's alternator generates about of the electricity in your vehicle, powering everything from the radio to taillights. Hither's how information technology works:

  1. Your vehicle'due south engine spins a belt that'due south fastened to the alternator via a pulley organisation.
  2. This caster rotates the alternator'due south rotor shaft and a surrounding prepare of magnets that pass effectually a coil, generating a electric current.
  3. This alternating electric current (AC) is channeled into the rectifier, which converts it to the direct current (DC) needed to run your vehicle'due south electrical systems and recharge your machine battery.

Your auto bombardment stores the excess electricity created and saves information technology for when you need ability while your engine isn't running, like at start-upwards. Alternators are a pretty standard piece of equipment in most vehicles, although some hybrid models won't have ane.

Signs of a bad alternator

A cleaved alternator — non to be confused with a failing alternator belt (also called the serpentine belt) — can exist hard to diagnose because many of the symptoms of a bad ane are the same as the symptoms of a faulty battery, and both can exist debilitating plenty that diagnostic tests are incommunicable to run right away. In layperson'southward terms, it'due south difficult to know what'due south wrong with your car'southward electrical arrangement when there's no power.

Many of the symptoms of a bad alternator are often the same as the symptoms of a faulty bombardment."

Here are a few common symptoms of a bad alternator:

  • Battery light on nuance: If your dashboard is showing the give-and-take "Charge" or a battery symbol later on the battery is turned on, that means at that place's a problem with your charging organisation, not necessarily your bodily battery.
  • Expressionless battery: A faulty alternator won't properly accuse your battery while the engine is running, and then a expressionless battery could exist a sign of an alternator trouble. The best mode to tell if information technology's your battery or alternator is to jump-kickoff your car. If it dies presently afterwards the leap-offset, information technology's likely your alternator and non your battery.
  • Difficulty starting: If your car has a hard fourth dimension starting, information technology might be caused by your alternator. If the alternator is bad, your bombardment won't have the necessary ability to kickoff your motorcar.
  • Grinding or whirring: If you're hearing some unexpected noises, like grinding or whirring, it might be due to cleaved pieces within an alternator. For instance, if the bearings in your alternator are starting to neglect, the noise produced is usually pretty difficult to miss.
  • Weakened ability supply: Because your electrical components are powered by your alternator, a weakened ability supply could exist a sign of a bad alternator. Expect for things similar slow-rolling windows, dimmed headlights or slow windshield wipers.

Regardless of the cause, if you're experiencing issues with your vehicle, it's of import to schedule an inspection with a licensed mechanic. They tin exam different components of your vehicle and use OBD-Two readings to decide what the issue is. You may have to pay for these tests, simply they should help you lot avoid paying for a repair that'due south not needed.

How much does it toll to fix an alternator?

Repairing your vehicle's alternator generally isn't a viable option compared to replacing one. There are a few reasons for this, but the primary one is that repairing something can toll a lot more in terms of labor than replacing it.

  • An alternator repair tin require a diagnosis, removing and disassembling the existing alternator, installing new components, testing them, and reinstalling the alternator.
  • An alternator replacement is equally simple every bit ownership a new or rebuilt alternator, taking out the faulty unit and putting in the new or rebuilt one.

In theory, an alternator repair could be cheaper, particularly for high-end vehicles, but it's uncommon. If you want to explore all of your options, ask your mechanic for an itemized repair quote and compare it to the toll of a replacement. An itemized quote will allow you to see exactly what you're paying for and how much of it is related to labor and how much is related to parts.

How much does information technology toll to supplant an alternator?

Nosotros gathered estimates for replacing an alternator in three sample vehicles in Austin, Texas, to requite you examples of what this service might cost. The cost of replacing an alternator in these sample cars ranges from roughly $530 to $2,660.

Vehicle Parts price Labor cost Full toll
2016 Honda Civic $427.01 to $733.92 $164.27 to $223.24 $591.28 to $957.16
2016 Ford F-150 $447.09 to $768.44 $82.13 to $111.62 $529.23 to $880.06
2018 BMW 740i $1,227.88 to $2,110.42 $401.54 to $545.69 $ane,629.42 to $ii,656.x

*Estimates gathered from AAA'southward car repair judge tool.

Your vehicle'south make, model and historic period affect the cost of repairs. Newer, higher-end vehicles tend to have more expensive components, while less expensive vehicles are likely cheaper to ready.

It's worth pointing out that our parts estimates are in line with prices for components from the original equipment manufacturer (OEM), but you can potentially save a lot of money past using aftermarket parts. Merely be aware that this may affect whatever warranty is left on your vehicle.

Labor costs vary less beyond our sample cars, but these notwithstanding differ from vehicle to vehicle. Some cars and trucks have more than compact or complicated setups nether the hood that arrive harder to become to the alternator, and the more than time it takes to replace your alternator, the more you'll pay.

Tin I bulldoze with a bad alternator?

You tin potentially drive a curt distance with a faulty alternator, but we don't recommend it. Considering this component powers so many unlike parts of your vehicle, driving with a bad alternator tin can impact diverse functions. A faulty alternator often leads to a dead battery, but if left unfixed, it could permanently ruin your bombardment too.

Simply put, you and your wallet are probably better off getting a bad alternator replaced earlier it leads to more than extensive bug.

Frequently asked questions

An alternator should concluding effectually half-dozen to 10 years, depending on how much you bulldoze and what kind of car yous accept. If your vehicle has actress electrical components that are used regularly, your alternator's life span can be even shorter, though.
After an alternator is replaced, there are tests you lot tin run to come across if it's working correctly, just the simplest way is often to drive information technology like normal and run into if yous meet any problems.

Alternators don't ordinarily demand whatever maintenance, so you shouldn't have to worry most it once more for some time.

It depends. Base-level coverage might non cover your alternator, merely if the extended auto warranty covers your car's electrical arrangement, the alternator is usually included.
Non unremarkably. Alternators don't often suspension due to accidents or vandalism, which means the cost to replace this component probably won't exist covered by auto insurance.

Lesser line

Replacing your car's alternator isn't cheap, but it's also not the worst car trouble y'all can have. If y'all're having issues with your machine's charging system:

  1. Take information technology to a mechanic.
  2. Go it diagnosed.
  3. Ask for an itemized quote.
  4. Make certain you're not being overcharged.

The cost to replace your alternator will depend on what car you drive and what store y'all get to, just you can potentially save coin by using aftermarket or remanufactured parts. In one case your alternator is replaced, you lot're good to go.

However, if you desire to avoid paying to replace your alternator again in the future, an extended machine warranty may be a good call.

Extended warranties, also chosen vehicle service contracts, cover the toll of unexpected repairs due to malfunctioning or cleaved parts. As long as your plan covers your alternator, the next time it malfunctions, y'all'll only have to pay your deductible. Your warranty provider will cover the rest. A reviewer from Georgia told united states of america their alternator went out, and thanks to their extended auto warranty, they were dorsum on the road the aforementioned day.

ConsumerAffairs writers primarily rely on government data, manufacture experts and original research from other reputable publications to inform their work. To learn more nigh the content on our site, visit our FAQ page.
  1. AAA, "Estimate Automobile Repair Costs." Accessed August 17, 2022.
  2. Nationwide Insurance, "What is an Alternator?" Accessed Baronial xx, 2022.
  3. Firestone Complete Auto Care, "What Does An Alternator Practice?" Accessed August twenty, 2022.
  4. The Bulldoze, "What Is the Boilerplate Lifespan of An Alternator?" Accessed August 20, 2022.
  5. Auto Services Cost, "Alternator Replacement Cost." Accessed August xx, 2022.

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