Stranded with a Dead Starter or Failing Alternator?
Few things are more frustrating than turning your key (or pressing the start button) and getting nothing but a click — or watching your dashboard lights dim while you're driving down I-95. These are classic signs of a failing starter motor or alternator, and they're among the most common reasons drivers get stranded in Fort Lauderdale and Tampa.
The good news? Mobile repair is the ideal solution for starter and alternator problems because your car literally can't go anywhere. Instead of paying $100+ for a tow truck to drag your car to a shop, our certified mechanics come directly to you with the right parts and tools to diagnose and fix the problem on the spot.
Starter Motor — What It Does and How It Fails
The starter motor is an electric motor that physically cranks your engine to get it running. When you turn the key, the starter engages a small gear (the bendix) with the engine's flywheel and spins it until the engine fires up on its own. Over time — typically 8–10 years or 80,000–150,000 miles — starters wear out due to heat, vibration, and electrical arcing on the internal contacts.
Starter Failure Symptoms
- Single loud click when turning the key — the solenoid engages but the motor can't spin (most common symptom)
- Rapid clicking sound — often confused with a dead battery, but if the battery tests good, it's likely the starter
- Grinding noise during starting — the bendix gear isn't engaging properly with the flywheel
- Intermittent starting — works sometimes but not others (worn contacts)
- Engine cranks very slowly with a fully charged battery
- Starter stays engaged after the engine starts (whirring/whining sound) — requires immediate attention
- Smell of burning or smoke from the starter area — the motor is drawing too much current
Alternator — What It Does and How It Fails
The alternator is your car's electrical generator. While the engine runs, the alternator produces electricity to power all your vehicle's systems and recharge the battery. When it fails, your car runs on battery power alone — which typically lasts 30 minutes to 2 hours before everything shuts down. Florida's heat accelerates alternator bearing and diode failure.
Alternator Failure Symptoms
- Battery/charging warning light on your dashboard — the most direct indicator
- Dimming headlights — especially noticeable at night or at idle
- Dead battery despite being relatively new — the alternator isn't recharging it
- Whining or growling noise from the engine area that changes with RPM
- Electrical accessories malfunctioning — radio cutting out, power windows slow, gauges flickering
- Burning rubber smell — the serpentine belt may be slipping on a seized alternator pulley
- Multiple dead batteries in a short period — classic sign of a failing alternator
Our Diagnosis Process
We never guess. Before replacing anything, we perform proper testing to confirm the actual failing component:
- Battery load test — rule out a dead battery first (the most common cause of no-start)
- Starter circuit testing — voltage drop tests on battery cables, solenoid, and starter motor
- Alternator output test — measuring voltage and amperage output at various RPMs
- Charging system analysis — checking voltage regulator function and diode condition
- Parasitic draw test — ensuring nothing is draining the battery when the car is off
This approach saves you money by ensuring we replace the right part the first time — not just throwing parts at the problem.
Why Mobile Service Is Perfect for Starter/Alternator Issues
- Your car can't move — a dead starter means you're going nowhere without a tow. We eliminate the tow truck entirely.
- Same-day resolution — most starter and alternator replacements take 1–2 hours
- Save $100–$200 on tow truck fees alone
- We test before replacing — many shops will replace both the battery AND starter just to cover their bases. We test to find the actual problem.
- Quality parts — we use OEM-spec remanufactured or new components with warranty
Starter & Alternator Pricing
- Diagnostic testing: $75–$100 (applied toward repair)
- Starter replacement: $250–$500 (parts + labor, highly vehicle-dependent)
- Alternator replacement: $300–$600 (parts + labor)
- Serpentine belt (with alternator): $30–$80 additional
Exact pricing quoted before work begins. All work backed by 12-month / 12,000-mile warranty.
Service Areas
Fort Lauderdale area: Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach, Hollywood, Plantation, Sunrise, Coral Springs, Deerfield Beach, Davie, Weston, Pembroke Pines, Oakland Park, Boca Raton
Tampa area: Tampa, St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Brandon, Riverview, Wesley Chapel, Temple Terrace, Carrollwood, Lutz, Plant City, Lakeland