Alternator and starter motor, sorted on-site
Slow cranking on a cold morning, stalls in traffic, or won't turn over at all. We test the charging and starting system with proper gear and replace only what actually needs replacing.
When you need this service
A car that will not start is the most stressful thing your car can do. School run, work meeting, hospital visit, it does not matter, the timing is always terrible. The good news is that the cause is almost always one of three things, and we can tell you which one in about half an hour.
The three culprits, ranked by how often they are at fault:
- The battery. Usually because it is old, has been sitting flat after lights left on, or has died from a hot Queensland summer. Batteries typically last three to five years here.
- The alternator. It charges the battery while the engine runs. When it fails, the battery slowly drains during driving, and the car eventually will not start. You often see a battery light on the dash days or weeks before it dies completely.
- The starter motor. It cranks the engine when you turn the key. When it fails, you hear a single click or a slow grinding crank, but the dashboard lights stay bright (which rules out the battery).
A workshop will often replace whichever part you arrived for, take your money, and discover later that it was actually one of the other two. We test all three on-site before we recommend anything.
What's included
The standard charging-system diagnostic includes:
- Battery state-of-charge test (resting voltage and load test)
- Battery state-of-health test
- Alternator output test under load (idle, mid-revs and electrical-load applied)
- Starter-motor current draw test
- Drive-belt and tensioner inspection
- Parasitic-draw test if requested (for cars that keep going flat overnight)
If we find the fault, we quote the replacement on the spot. If it is a clean-cut alternator or starter, we usually have the right part on the van for common makes. For less common vehicles we order the correct part and book a return visit, often the same week.
How it works
1. Tell us what's happening. Call 0451 159 954 or use the quote form. Describe the symptoms in plain English. "Slow crank in the morning", "battery keeps going flat", "single click when I turn the key". That tells us a lot before we even look at the car.
2. Diagnostic on-site. The full charging-system test takes about half an hour. If we do the repair, that diagnostic is credited against the job, so you only pay it if you decide not to proceed.
3. Replacement done at your place. Most alternator and starter jobs are finished the same day, often the same visit if we have the part on board.
What it costs
We quote a fixed price in writing before any work begins, based on your specific make, model and the actual job. Call us with the details and we will give you a real number on the spot.
Routine servicing in Brisbane typically ranges from $188 to $449 as a general market guide, depending on whether it is a minor or major service and the size of the vehicle, before any extra repairs. See how our pricing works for more.
Why customers pick us for charging and starting work
- Diagnosis first. We never replace a part based on a guess. The diagnostic tells us exactly which component is at fault, often a battery instead of an alternator.
- Real parts. We fit OEM or quality aftermarket alternators and starters. The remanufactured generic units are tempting on price, but the failure rate is high and the warranty is rarely honoured.
- Workmanship warranty per our terms. Every part we fit is covered; if it fails because of how it was fitted, we come back.
Where we cover
We cover Brisbane, Logan, Ipswich and the Gold Coast, working out of Springwood. Charging-system callouts come from all over: tradies in Logan who need their work ute sorted before the next job, parents in Carindale and Chermside whose family car will not start in the school car park, retirees on the Gold Coast who do not want to be stuck.
If you are not sure we cover your suburb, call us on 0451 159 954 or check the coverage map.
Book your alternator or starter repair
Call 0451 159 954 or send us your details through the quote form. We come back with a fixed-price quote, and same-day service is often available.
What customers ask about alternator & starter motor.
How do I tell if it's the battery, the alternator or the starter?
It's the question we get asked every week. A flat battery, a failing alternator and a tired starter motor all look like "the car won't start", but they fail in different ways. A dead battery usually means no dashboard lights, or very dim ones. A failing alternator usually means the car starts but the battery keeps going flat after a drive, or you see a flickering battery light on the dash. A failing starter motor usually means a single loud click or a slow grinding crank when you turn the key, while the dashboard lights stay bright. We test all three on-site before we recommend a replacement.
How long does an alternator last?
Most original alternators last 150,000 to 250,000 km. Short trips, heavy electrical load (lots of accessories, towing) and high heat shorten that. We have replaced alternators with as few as 80,000 km on hard-worked tradie utes, and others still going strong at 300,000 km on highway-driven family sedans.
Can you replace an alternator at my house?
Yes, on almost every vehicle. The alternator on most cars sits on the front of the engine, behind one or two accessory belts. We have the proper belt tools and the workshop manuals to do it correctly. The work usually takes between 90 minutes and three hours, depending on access.
What's the cost of a new alternator?
Pricing depends on the vehicle and whether it's an alternator, starter motor, or both. Some platforms (BMW, Audi, late-model Mazda CX-9) cost meaningfully more in parts than a Hilux or Corolla. Once we've confirmed which component is faulty and the part needed, we quote the exact price for your vehicle before we touch a spanner.
My car battery keeps going flat. Is it the alternator?
Maybe, but not always. A weak battery, a parasitic drain (something staying powered when the car is off), or a failing alternator can all do this. We test the battery state of charge, the alternator output under load, and the parasitic draw with the engine off. That gives a definite answer in about 30 minutes.
Do you fix auto electrical faults more broadly?
We diagnose and replace alternators, starter motors and batteries, and we read fault codes from the OBD port. We do not do deeper auto-electrical work like wiring repairs, aftermarket accessory installs or ECU faults. If the diagnostic points there, we will tell you and recommend a specialist.
We also handle these.
Battery replacement
Flat battery on a school morning, clicks but won't crank, or the car keeps needing a jump? We deliver and fit a new heavy-duty battery at your home, office or kerbside in under 30 minutes.
Read moreBrake repair
Squealing, grinding, or a pedal that doesn't feel right.
Read moreLogbook & general servicing
Manufacturer-spec scheduled servicing using OEM filters and the right grade of oil for your engine.
Read moreBook your alternator & starter motor today.
Fixed-price quote upfront. Same-day service available.