Mobile mechanic · Chicagoland
Starter replacement cost and mobile service
Car clicks but won't crank? Steve finds out why, replaces the starter in your driveway if that's the problem, and gives you the price before any work starts.
- Upfront price before work
- No tow bill
- Same-week appointments
How much does a starter replacement cost?
$310–620 for parts and labor on a typical mid-size car, before tax. The range includes the no-crank diagnosis. Trucks and European models run higher, and a starter that is hard to reach costs more in labor. Steve gives you the exact price before he starts.
Signs your starter is failing
- You turn the key and hear one click, or rapid clicking, and the engine doesn't turn over.
- The dash lights and radio come on, but nothing happens when you try to start.
- It starts some days and not others.
- A grinding or whirring sound after the engine is already running.
- It cranks slowly even though the battery is good.
What Steve does in your driveway
Clicking doesn't always mean a bad starter. A weak battery, a loose or corroded cable or a bad connection can look the same. So Steve starts with a no-crank diagnosis, finds out why it won't crank, and tells you what it is.
If it's the starter, he replaces it right there with the tools and parts he brought. You don't need a tow.
Starter and no-start prices
| Service | Typical price |
|---|---|
| Starter replacementNo-crank diagnosis + new starter | $310–620 |
| No-start diagnosticWhy it won't crank or fire, found in your driveway | $95 nearby, $120 farther |
| Battery test + replacementLoad test, new battery, terminal clean | $180–300 |
| Battery terminal / cable repairCorroded or loose clamps and cables fixed | $75–210 |
| Charging system diagnosisIs it the battery, alternator or wiring? | $95 nearby, $120 farther |
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 starter sits. On some engines it's easy to reach. On others it's under the intake or behind other parts, which 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.
- Cables and connections. A corroded cable or ground can be part of the problem. That's a separate line in the table.
- What the diagnosis finds. If the no-crank turns out to be a battery or a cable, that is the job instead of a starter.
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 a starter replacement cost?
The range is at the top of this page and in the price table: parts and labor for a typical mid-size car, before tax, including the no-crank diagnosis. Steve gives you the exact price for your car before any work starts.
How do I know if it's the starter or the battery?
A weak battery and a bad starter both cause clicking. Dash lights that dim hard during the click point to the battery. Bright lights with a click or nothing point to the starter or its connections. That's a rule of thumb, not a test, which is why Steve diagnoses it first.
Can Steve replace a starter in my driveway?
Yes. He comes to your home, work or a parking lot anywhere in Chicagoland with the tools and the parts. A starter replacement takes about 1.5–2.5 hr.
Can I keep driving with a bad starter?
It may work for days or fail on the next start. A starter that only works sometimes can leave you stuck, so it's best to get it looked at before that happens.
Do you also replace batteries and alternators?
Yes. If the no-crank turns out to be the battery or the charging system, Steve handles that too. See the battery and alternator pages for prices.