Mobile mechanic · Chicagoland
Mobile alternator replacement
Battery light on, dim headlights, or a car that dies while you drive? Steve tests the charging system where you parked and replaces the alternator if that's the problem.
- Upfront price before work
- No tow bill
- Same-week appointments
Signs your alternator is failing
- The battery or charging light comes on while you drive.
- Headlights and dash lights dim or flicker, especially at idle.
- The car dies while driving, or won't restart after a jump.
- A new battery that keeps going dead.
- A whining or grinding noise from the engine, or a burning smell.
- Power windows run slow, or the radio and gauges act up.
What Steve does in your driveway
Steve starts with a charging system test. A weak battery, a bad alternator, a worn belt and a corroded cable can all look alike, so he finds out which it is first. If it's the alternator, he replaces it where you parked.
The belt that drives the alternator is a common wear item, and Steve replaces serpentine belts too. It's on the price list below.
Alternator and charging system prices
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Alternator replacementCharging system test, new unit | $350–680 |
| Charging system diagnosisIs it the battery, alternator or wiring? | $95 nearby, $120 farther |
| Serpentine beltNew belt, tensioner and pulleys checked | $115–240 |
| Battery test + replacementLoad test, new battery, terminal clean | $180–300 |
| Battery terminal / cable repairCorroded or loose clamps and cables fixed | $75–210 |
Call or text Steve at 331-314-8484 for a price.
Typical prices for a mid-size car, parts and labor, before tax. You get the exact price before any work starts. No trip fee around Aurora, Naperville, Oswego and the Fox Valley. A flat $35 trip fee everywhere else in Chicagoland.
Diagnosis is priced by distance. The first hour is $95 within about a 45-minute drive of Aurora and $120 farther out. Each extra hour is $120. The diagnosis is credited toward the repair.
What changes the price
- Where the alternator sits. On some engines it's right on the front and comes out quickly. On others it's buried, and that adds labor time. That is why the range is wide.
- Your vehicle. Make, model and engine change the parts price. Trucks and European models run higher.
- Belt, battery and cables. A worn belt, a weak battery or corroded cables can be part of the problem, and they are priced separately.
How it works
1
Tell Steve what's wrong
Call, text, or send the short form.
2
Get your price
You approve the estimate before he starts.
3
Steve fixes it where you parked
Home, work, or a parking lot. Pay when it runs right.
Questions
How much does an alternator replacement cost?
The range is in the price table: parts and labor for a typical mid-size car, before tax, including the charging system test. Steve gives you the exact price for your car before any work starts.
How do I know if it's the alternator or the battery?
A battery can be tested on its own. If the battery is good and the system still isn't charging, or a new battery keeps dying, it's the alternator or the wiring. A charging system diagnosis answers it.
Can I keep driving with a bad alternator?
Only for a short time. The car runs on the battery until it's drained, and then it dies. If the battery light is on, skip long trips and call Steve.
Can Steve replace an alternator in my driveway?
Yes. He comes to your home, work or a parking lot anywhere in Chicagoland with the tools and the parts. An alternator replacement takes about 1.5–2.5 hr.
Do you replace the belt too?
Yes. Serpentine belt replacement, with the tensioner and pulleys checked, is on Steve's price list.