If it sits near the engine, it will cost you $230–$1,200 to replace it ($230–$600 for an aftermarket part and $300–$1,200 for an OEM unit). And if it’s located far from the motor, the auto shop will charge $400–$1,700 ($400–$770 for an aftermarket alternator and $580–$1,700 for an OEM part).
Full Answer
How much does it cost to replace an alternator?
The costs for replacing an alternator in these sample cars range from roughly $530 to $2,660. *Estimates gathered from AAA’s car repair estimate tool.
Where can I get an alternator replaced in Philadelphia?
While Philly might be too far of a drive for you, hit up Advance's Find A Mechanic tool to find a high-tech shop in your area. They can quickly install an alternator, and test and charge your battery while under the hood. Have you had to replace your alternator?
Is it worth it to hire a professional to diagnose alternator problems?
Rakowski says his shop specializes in ongoing training for mechanics, and having high-tech tools to properly diagnose modern vehicles. This is beyond the DIY-er's ability and budget, so it can be worth the trip to a professional shop if your vehicle's alternator is not the root of your problem.
How do you fix an alternator that won't start?
An alternator repair can require a diagnosis, removing and disassembling the existing alternator, installing new components, testing them, and reinstalling the alternator. An alternator replacement is as simple as buying a new alternator, taking out the faulty unit and putting in the new one.
How much does it cost to replace an alternator in a VW Golf?
CarServiceShop/Dealer Price1989 Volkswagen GolfL4-1.8LService typeAlternator RepairShop/Dealer Price$444.96 - $656.441998 Volkswagen GolfL4-1.8LService typeAlternator RepairShop/Dealer Price$899.42 - $1380.561987 Volkswagen GolfL4-1.8LService typeAlternator RepairShop/Dealer Price$450.19 - $661.865 more rows
How much does it cost to replace a VW alternator?
The Best in Auto Repair The average cost for a Volkswagen Jetta alternator replacement is between $194 and $244. Labor costs are estimated between $194 and $244. This range does not include taxes and fees, and does not factor in your specific model year or unique location. Related repairs may also be needed.
What is the average labor cost to replace an alternator?
So How Much Should an Alternator Replacement Cost? The average time for an alternator replacement is two-to-three hours. That gives you roughly $120- $200 in labor to start.
Is it worth replacing an alternator?
It's usually a better idea to replace the alternator entirely if it is malfunctioning. While new ones can be spendy, they are usually a better choice than remanufactured or rebuilt options. Those probably won't last as long as a new one since the mechanical parts have miles on them already.
How long does it take to replace a alternator?
about two hoursIn general, it will take about two hours for you to replace an alternator on your own, though this could vary somewhat depending on your knowledge of car mechanics. If you take your car into a shop in order to have the alternator replaced, timing may vary somewhat, and you may have to leave the car for the day.
What causes an alternator to fail?
There are a few issues that could make the alternator go bad, such as jump-starting the car the wrong way or installing an accessory that overloads it. Leaking fluid in the alternator or a tight belt can also cause damage to the alternator bearings, causing premature wearing.
How can you tell if your alternator is bad?
7 Signs of a Failing AlternatorDim or Overly Bright Lights. ... Dead Battery. ... Slow or Malfunctioning Accessories. ... Trouble Starting or Frequent Stalling. ... Growling or Whining Noises. ... Smell of Burning Rubber or Wires. ... Battery Warning Light on Dash.
What does a broken alternator sound like?
If you're hearing a grinding sound in your car, this could indicate that the alternator is going bad. The grinding sound may be caused by a worn-out bearing. Your car can also make a whining sound when the voltage regulator is sending signals to the alternator to charge more than is necessary.
What is an Alternator?
The alternator is responsible for two things. First, it powers the electrical units when your car is running. The radio, lights, window switches, USB ports, etc., are all powered by the alternator. And second, it recharges the car’s battery, which is the source of electricity when the car is turned off.
Symptoms of a failing Alternator
When your car is running, the alternator uses energy from the engine to recharge the battery. When the car is off, it needs that electricity from the battery in order to turn back on. If the car won’t turn on, it may be because the alternator isn’t recharging the battery.
How urgent is an Alternator replacement?
Usually a faulty alternator won’t cause further damage to the vehicle. However, if it is overcharging or undercharging certain electrical units, it is possible for some damage to occur.
How does an alternator help your car run?
The alternator is the component that charges the battery in your car. When you use electrical components in your car (stereo, lights, etc.), the battery loses power. The alternator recharges the battery, replenishing the lost battery power. The alternator is located in the engine compartment.
Before repairing the alternator
The mechanic should check the entire charging system before installing a new alternator, including checking battery cables for corrosion and the condition of the battery.
Our recommendation for alternator replacements
Ask your mechanic to inspect the condition of the charging system during every major service. The mechanic should also clean and tighten the battery cables during every major service.
Why repairing your alternator is important
Your alternator charges your battery, which powers the electronics in your vehicle, such as the radio and the air conditioning. The battery is also needed to turn on your vehicle. A malfunctioning alternator will not charge your car’s battery, and your vehicle will eventually run out of battery life and not be able to start.
How can we help?
Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace an Alternator?
In general, expect $130 to $250 for a quality alternator. The lower end is offers professionally remanufactured alternators, while the high-end price range is generally new alternators running higher amps for modern vehicles. Twenty years ago, you didn't need an alternator to keep the navigation system, rear entertainment, and heated seats going, plus the constant draw from all the active safety systems. That extra power comes from larger amp alternators that cost more to build. Repair cost aggregate websites like RepairPal show an alternator replacement averages between 1 to 3 hours of work whether doing it yourself or having a mechanic swap it out. You'll have to factor that time into a shop's rate.
What is an alternator?
Simply put, an alternator is an electrical generator. When the engine is running, it spins the pulleys on the front of the engine, which are connected by a serpentine belt. That belt spins the alternator, which generates the electricity needed to recharge the battery after startup, operate electrical components like the headlights, radio, GPS, ...
How does an alternator work?
While there's some logic there, an alternator is a critical piece of the vehicle's engine. Simply put, an alternator is an electrical generator. When the engine is running, it spins the pulleys on the front of the engine, which are connected by a serpentine belt. That belt spins the alternator, which generates the electricity needed to recharge the battery after startup, operate electrical components like the headlights, radio, GPS, and fuel injection. When an alternator fails, the battery temporarily provides power to those components, until it runs out of juice. Then, everything powered by electricity, including the vehicle's computer, fuel pump, and ignition, stop working, and so does your vehicle. By the time you're seeing symptoms, it's already very near the failure point. Swap it out before it leaves you stranded, because you don't have a lot of time left.
How to tell if alternator is bad?
If you think your alternator is starting to fail (or has already failed), look for these common symptoms: 1 Battery light on 2 Dim or flickering lights 3 Check engine light 4 Grinding or squealing noise 5 Electrical issues 6 Engine stalling 7 Dead battery
What is a remanufactured alternator?
You know what brand new means, while "remanufactured" means the alternator gets completely taken apart, and many wear components replaced with new parts, often including upgrades for longer life .
What is a rebuilt alternator?
"Rebuilt" means only the defective internal part was replaced, while everything else is old. The proper solution is a new or remanufactured alternator. You know what brand new means, while "remanufactured" means the alternator gets completely taken apart, and many wear components replaced with new parts, often including upgrades for longer life. They have warranties too, and can last longer than new, since most of the internal parts are brand new.
What happens when an alternator fails?
When an alternator fails, the battery temporarily provides power to those components, until it runs out of juice. Then, everything powered by electricity, including the vehicle's computer, fuel pump, and ignition, stop working, and so does your vehicle. By the time you're seeing symptoms, it's already very near the failure point.
How much does alternator replacement cost?
The costs for replacing an alternator in these sample cars range from roughly $530 to $2,660.
How much does it cost to repair 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 main one is that repairing something can cost a lot more in terms of labor than replacing it.
What is an alternator?
Your car's alternator generates most of the electricity in your vehicle, powering everything from the radio to taillights. Here’s how it works:
How to tell if your alternator is bad?
Dead battery: A faulty alternator won’t properly charge your battery while the engine is running, so a dead battery could be a sign of an alternator problem. The best way to tell if it’s your battery or alternator is to jump-start your car. If it dies soon after the jump-start, it’s likely your alternator and not your battery.
What to do after alternator is replaced?
After an alternator is replaced, there are tests you can run to see if it’s working correctly, but the simplest way is often to drive it like normal and see if you encounter any problems.
What is the pulley on an alternator?
This pulley rotates the alternator’s rotor shaft and a surrounding set of magnets that pass around a coil, generating a current.
Is it hard to diagnose a broken alternator?
A broken alternator — not to be confused with a failing alternator belt (also called the serpentine belt) — can be hard to diagnose because many of the symptoms of a bad one are the same as the symptoms of a faulty battery, and both can be debilitating enough that diagnostic tests are impossible to run. In layperson’s terms, it’s hard to know what’s wrong with your car’s electrical system when there’s no power.
How does an alternator help your car run?
The alternator is the component that charges the battery in your car. When you use electrical components in your car (stereo, lights, etc.), the battery loses power. The alternator recharges the battery, replenishing the lost battery power. The alternator is located in the engine compartment.
Before repairing the alternator
The mechanic should check the entire charging system before installing a new alternator, including checking battery cables for corrosion and the condition of the battery.
Our recommendation for alternator replacements
Ask your mechanic to inspect the condition of the charging system during every major service. The mechanic should also clean and tighten the battery cables during every major service.
Why repairing your alternator is important
Your alternator charges your battery, which powers the electronics in your vehicle, such as the radio and the air conditioning. The battery is also needed to turn on your vehicle. A malfunctioning alternator will not charge your car’s battery, and your vehicle will eventually run out of battery life and not be able to start.
How can we help?
Our service team is available 7 days a week, Monday - Friday from 6 AM to 5 PM PST, Saturday - Sunday 7 AM - 4 PM PST.
What Is an Alternator?
Your alternator is a key component of your car. Not only does it power your vehicle while it’s running; it also ensures your battery recharges when the engine is off. Everything from your headlights to your air conditioning to your power seats to your turn signals require an alternator to work.
Signs of a Bad Alternator
There are several things you may notice if your alternator is failing. Your headlights and dashboard lights may look dim. The car might not readily start, or it might stall. If you use accessory mode, you may notice things don’t work as expected, such as power seats and windows operating unusually slow.
How Much Does It Cost to Replace an Alternator?
The cost of an alternator varies between cars. While there are more affordable options that will work in some cars, budget for around $350. Note that you may need to have other parts, such as the serpentine belt, replaced at the same time. This would add $50 or so to the total cost.
Nicole Wakelin View All
Nicole Wakelin covers the automotive industry as a freelance journalist for a variety of outlets. Her work includes news pieces, podcasts, radio, written reviews, and video reviews.
How much does it cost to replace an alternator?
It will cost you between $150 to about $ 400 for replacing an alternator’s components, and between $500 – $800 will be your total cost, including labor and factoring in components.
What Is An Alternator?
The alternator converts the mechanical energy of a car’s engine into electrical energy to charge your battery and power other car’s electrical components.
Why is my alternator reading below 13.8V?
Similarly, if the reading is below 13.8V, this is mainly because the alternator can not provide sufficient power to the battery, so it needs a replacement. A typical battery carries a charge of 12V, so you should not charge the battery intensively over 12V as it can cause serious problems. Check this out:
How long does an alternator last?
Alternators can last longer than batteries. An alternator’s average lifespan is about 5-8 years, depending on how often and what model you drive.
How many miles can an alternator drive?
The lifespan also depends on the factor of how many miles you have driven. An alternator can drive about 60,000 – 150,000 miles. New and modern cars, especially those from reliable companies such as Honda, Lexus, and Toyota, are at the higher end of this limit, while old models are at the lower end of this range.
Why does my alternator make a squeaky noise?
An alternator’s spinning parts might be restricted, which causes the engine to squeal or make some weird noises.
Can you assume a battery has a fault?
You can not assume by yourself whether the battery has some faults or the alternator itself until you check it.
How much does it cost to replace an alternator?
A rough estimate for the cost of replacing an alternator is about $350, though there are usually many options available. Parts costs can vary widely. A typical aftermarket alternator, new or remanufactured, can vary from $150 to $300. New OE alternators through a dealership range from $400 to $600 on average.
How to tell if alternator needs replacing?
Signs that an alternator might need to be replaced are: system voltage is low – particularly with a lot of accessories on, the battery warning light is on, or the battery is discharged. If a vehicle starts slow or has a dead battery, it’s a normal thing to have a charging system check done which tests the battery and the alternator ...
Why does my alternator light come on?
Most vehicles have a battery light that will come on when the alternator output drops below the level that keeps the battery charged. There has been regular controversy in the repair industry as to why the alternator warning light displays a picture of the battery rather than an alternator.
How to tell if alternator is working?
They are designed to keep the voltage of the vehicle within a certain range under all loads, and testing the voltage and the voltage under load is a simple way to verify whether the alternator is working or not.
What happens if the alternator isn't producing current?
If the alternator isn’t producing current then it must be drawn off the battery, and the car will shut down once the battery is depleted. With all loads off (lights, radio, etc) that might allow an hour or less of driving.
What is the purpose of alternators?
The two roles of the alternator are to recharge the vehicle’s battery once it has started the engine, and then to meet all of the electrical demands during vehicle operation. It does this by converting some of the engine’s rotating force into electrical current, ...
What is the basic wearing part of an alternator?
The basic wearing part on an alternator is the brushes; these will slowly wear through use, and eventually begin to lose contact. When this happens, alternator output and system voltage drop.