Prevent Breakdowns Have Your Alternator Battery and Starter Tested at Russ Darrow

Is there anything more inconvenient and frustrating than a car that won’t start, and then wondering if it’s the battery, starter, or alternator? Before your vehicle doesn’t respond, prevent breakdowns by having your alternator, starter, and battery checked at Russ Darrow.

When a dead battery ruins your day, it could be due to a bad alternator. If your headlights are flickering, your engine is slow to turn over, or the battery light comes on, don’t wait until you are stranded. Schedule routine testing of our alternator at Russ Darrow. Other signs that your alternator is dying are slow electrical operations like power windows, the belts squealing or chirping, or you hear growling or droning noises from under the hood related to engine RPM. A faulty alternator could signal a dead battery; thus, checking them both is a good idea. Getting your alternator tested at Russ Darrow is simple and hassle-free. One of the certified technicians will connect a portable tester to your vehicle’s battery before starting the engine. Once the engine runs, the tester will determine if the alternator produces sufficient voltage. Then the output is checked under load, imitating your vehicle’s regular operation with various systems turning on and off. If it doesn’t pass either one of the tests, your alternator is bad, and you need a new one.

Car batteries can last three to five years on average, but when they die, it’s without a warning, and you’re stuck stranded. A routine battery test at Russ Darrow can keep your car ready and responsive. A car battery test diagnoses how well your battery stores power. The technicians will send a jolt of electricity into your car battery and examine its response. ‘Good’ means you don’t have to worry about a dead car battery for at least another six months; however, getting a professional battery test before summer and winter is a good idea. A ‘weak’ or ‘replace now’ response on the tester is your warning to take action to avoid the stress of being late for work or other engagements because you’re sitting on the side of the road. The glaring sign of a bad battery is that your car won’t start, or the battery warning light on your dashboard shows the voltage is low, the headlights flicker a bit when you’re idling, idling seems rough, or all operations come back to normal after you’ve been driving for a while. Find out for sure and get your battery tested at Russ Darrow.

A bad starter could prevent your car from starting, too. The starter is a small motor powered by the battery, and the relay sits between the battery and the starter motor, transmitting power. Without a properly working starter relay and motor, you won’t be able to start your vehicle, and you’ll find yourself stranded. Having the starter, battery, and alternator tested simultaneously at Russ Darrow makes sense, ensuring your car will be there for you every day. One of the symptoms of a failing starter is a clicking noise, or the dashboard lights up, but the engine doesn’t power up. There are a lot of causes for a bad starter, and having it tested routinely at Russ Darrow can pinpoint issues before they become bigger problems. Loose wiring to and from the starter, dirty or corroded connections at the starter, damaged or worn-out parts in the starter system, or a bad relay that the Darrow team can address, and let you know if you need a new starter. Maintenance is key to preventing breakdowns and ensuring your vehicle’s reliability. Contact your Russ Darrow to schedule a comprehensive alternator, battery, and starter test today!