A bad starter leaves you stuck with a vehicle that will not turn over. A bad alternator leaves you stuck a little later, after the battery drains down on the road. Either way, Roadgun Mobile Repair can test and replace starters and alternators at your location around Jacksonville, NC, which usually means no tow.
Both parts often get blamed for each other, and both get blamed for batteries. Testing the whole starting and charging system before we replace anything is how we make sure you pay for the part that actually failed.
What is included
- Battery, starter, and alternator testing as a system
- Starter replacement, including cables and connections
- Alternator replacement
- Serpentine belt inspection and replacement when it drives the alternator
- Checking grounds and main power cables for corrosion or damage
- Final charging voltage and start test before we leave
How a mobile visit works
Tell us what happens when you turn the key or press start. A single click, rapid clicking, grinding, or nothing at all each points in a different direction. Knowing that ahead of time helps us bring the right part for your vehicle.
At your location, we test the battery first, then check voltage at the starter and the alternator output. Once we confirm the failed part, we replace it, clean the connections, and verify the vehicle starts and charges correctly.
Driveway or shop: what it costs you
A no-start vehicle normally means a tow to the shop, a wait for diagnosis, and a second trip to pick it up. A mobile visit removes all three. Labor is often similar between a mobile mechanic and a shop for the same job, but you save the tow and the lost time.
Starter and alternator pricing varies a lot by vehicle because some are easy to reach and some sit under intake manifolds. Call for a quote on your specific vehicle.
Common signs you need this service
- Single click or rapid clicking when you try to start
- Grinding or whirring noise while cranking
- Battery or charging light on while driving
- Headlights and dash lights dim or flicker at idle
- New battery keeps going dead within days
On site or in a shop?
On most cars, trucks, and SUVs, starters and alternators are standard driveway work. We carry the tools to reach them on common vehicles and can safely support the vehicle on stands when the starter is underneath.
A few vehicles bury the starter under the intake or require removing large components to reach it. Those jobs take longer and occasionally make more sense in a shop. We will tell you when you call if your vehicle is one of them.
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if it is the starter or the battery?
If lights and accessories work normally but the engine does not crank, the starter is a likely suspect. If everything is dim or dead, it is more likely the battery. We test both to be sure.
Can I drive with a bad alternator?
Only briefly. The vehicle runs off the battery until it drains, then it shuts down, sometimes in traffic. It is safer to have us come to you.
Do you use new or remanufactured parts?
It depends on the vehicle and what you prefer. We will go over the options and the tradeoffs when we quote the job.
How long does a mobile starter or alternator job take?
Many are done in one to three hours on site. Hard-to-reach starters take longer, and we will give you a realistic estimate when you call.
Related services
Where we work
We cover Jacksonville and the surrounding Onslow County communities: Jacksonville, Camp Lejeune, Richlands, Swansboro, Hubert, Holly Ridge. See all service areas.