Auto electrician
Electrical faults: alternator, starter motor, wiring and lights.
More about the electricianAlternator repair
The battery light is on while the engine runs or the battery often goes flat? We repair the alternator, the part that charges the battery.
Send us the make, model, year and what is happening.
We work in several cities in Serbia. Tell us your city.
Battery light on while the engine runs? Stop as soon as you can, the car can stop. If the engine temperature also rises fast, switch off the engine. The belt may have broken. Do not start the engine again.
Signs of an alternator fault
Battery light On while the engine runs, glowing faintly, flickering, or not coming on with the ignition.
The battery goes flat Even a new one goes flat quickly. The alternator charges only now and then.
The lights dim at idle And brighten on the throttle.
The radio cuts out Other dashboard warning lights come on.
Grinding or whining The sound comes from the front of the engine.
The belt knocks or squeals The car vibrates or there is a smell of burnt rubber.
Send us the make, model and year and what is happening with the car.
How much does an alternator repair cost
A repair is often cheaper than a new alternator.
- Price
- It depends on the fault. We tell you after the check, before the work.
- Payment
- Cash or through a company.
- Place and time
- Tell us your city, we agree it by phone.
What the price depends on
- What is broken in the alternator.
- Whether we rebuild it or fit a rebuilt or new alternator.
- How hard it is to reach the alternator: on some cars we first remove other parts.
- The make and model of the car.
You choose between three options
- 1
Rebuilding your alternator
We replace the worn parts. A rebuild is often cheaper than a new alternator.
- 2
A rebuilt exchange alternator
We fit an alternator that has already been rebuilt, and your old one stays with us.
- 3
A new alternator
We suggest it when the old one is not worth repairing: badly corroded or burnt out inside.
Important
- A new battery does not fix an alternator fault. If the alternator does not charge, it will drain a new battery too. So we measure the charging first.
- On a newer car the alternator must match exactly your car, otherwise the computer reports a fault. What your car needs, we will tell you when you send the make, model and year.
How we repair alternators
- 1
You describe the fault
Send us the make, model and year of the car and describe what is happening: the light, the lights, a sound or a flat battery. From another city you can also send a removed alternator by courier. We agree the place, time or shipping by phone.
- 2
We check the battery, belt and connections
A flat or worn battery, a loose belt or a bad connection give the same signs as an alternator that does not charge. So we check them first.
- 3
We measure the charging
We switch on the lights, the fan and the air conditioning and measure how much the alternator charges while the engine runs. On a newer car we also read the faults from the engine computer with a diagnostic device.
- 4
We open the alternator and tell you the price
When the alternator is at fault, we remove it and open it. Only then can we see what is worn and whether a rebuild pays off.
The repair starts only when you agree.
- 5
We repair it and measure again
We replace what is worn, for example the brushes, the regulator, the bearings, the diodes or the pulley, or fit a rebuilt or new alternator. We put it back on the car and measure the charging again. When the car needs it, we register a new alternator with the computer using a diagnostic device.
What an alternator is and what wears out in it
While the engine runs, the alternator powers everything in the car: lights, radio, air conditioning and heaters.
Over time the brushes, the regulator that holds the charging voltage, the bearings, the diodes and the pulley the belt runs on wear out in the alternator. On an alternator with low mileage it is sometimes enough to replace just the regulator.
Alternators fail more often in winter. The heaters, lights and ventilation are then working, so the alternator has to charge more.
The alternator on a newer car and a car with start-stop
On newer cars the engine computer controls the charging. When you accelerate, the alternator can switch off completely, and it charges hardest when you brake with the engine. On some cars a new alternator also has to be registered with the computer. More about the start-stop system
How to make the alternator last longer
- Do not disconnect a battery cable while the engine runs. That damages the diodes in the alternator.
- When you jump-start the car, mind the plus and minus. Reversed cables damage the alternator.
- Also drive longer, not only short trips. On a short trip the battery does not charge.
- Replace a weak battery in time. A worn battery can quickly damage even a new alternator. More about battery replacement
Updated 25 October 2026.
Questions
How much does an alternator repair cost?
It depends on what is broken, the make and model of the car and whether we rebuild it or fit a rebuilt or new alternator. We tell you the price after the check, before the work.
A rebuild, a rebuilt exchange or a new alternator?
A rebuild is often cheaper. It pays off when the housing is not badly corroded and the windings are not burnt out. That shows when we open the alternator, so we tell you what pays off for your car. When yours is not worth repairing, you choose a rebuilt exchange alternator or a new one.
The alternator does not charge, but the light is not on. How?
Charging can stop even when the light is not on. Then the radio cuts out, the lights dim and other dashboard lights come on. We measure the charging and tell you what is broken.
Can I drive with the battery light on?
Stop in a safe place as soon as you can. The car is then using what is left in the battery and can stop. If the engine temperature also rises fast with the light, switch off the engine and do not start it again. Call us, and we will agree what to do. More about the battery light
How long does an alternator repair take?
It depends on what is broken, how hard it is to reach the alternator and whether parts need to arrive. How long the car stays with us, we will tell you after the check.
Can an alternator with a start-stop system be rebuilt?
Yes. The part must match the car, and on some cars a new alternator has to be registered with the computer. We do that with a diagnostic device. What your car needs, we will tell you when you send the make, model and year.
Related services
Battery replacement
A new battery at your address, with a charging check and registration in the computer when the car needs it.
More about the replacement
Car diagnostics
We check the recorded faults and explain what is urgent.
More about diagnostics