TMM Mobile Vehicle Repairs 07989 747065

Battery light on? Mobile alternator replacement

A battery light that comes on while you drive usually means a charging fault. We find out why and fix it where the car is parked, at home or at work.

Call 07989 747065Get a quote
ABS
On while you drive? The battery is not being charged.

The alternator charges the battery and powers the car’s electrics while the engine runs. When it stops charging, the car runs on the battery alone until that goes flat, which usually leaves you stranded a few miles later.

So a battery light that comes on while you’re driving is worth acting on straight away. We test the charging system, the drive belt and the wiring, and replace the alternator on your driveway or at work if that is what has failed.

Battery light on right now?

Switch off anything you don’t need, such as the heater fan, heated screens and the radio, and head somewhere safe to stop. If the steering goes heavy or the temperature gauge climbs, stop straight away: the drive belt may have snapped. Then call us on 07989 747065.

Signs of a charging fault

The battery light is the obvious one. Others creep up on you:

It isn’t always the alternator

A battery light can also mean a worn or snapped drive belt, a loose or corroded connection, or a fault in the wiring between the alternator and the battery. Many newer cars have smart charging, controlled by the engine computer, which can log faults of its own.

We test the charging output and check the belt and wiring before recommending a new alternator, so you only pay for what fixes it.

The engine bay of a modern car

What affects the cost of an alternator replacement

We don’t publish a one-size price, because these change from car to car:

  • The car itself

    Some alternators are easy to reach at the front of the engine. Others need parts removed first.

  • The right unit

    Output and type to match your car, including stop-start and smart-charging systems.

  • The drive belt

    If it is worn, it is best replaced at the same time, and we tell you before we do.

  • A clear quote first

    You get the price for your car before we start, with no hidden fees.

Alternator questions

All questions

How much does a typical repair cost?

Without the overheads of a fixed garage, our labour rates are usually lower than main dealers and many local workshops. Prices depend on the job, the make and the parts needed, but you always get a clear quote before any work starts, and servicing is fixed-price. There are no hidden call-out fees within our normal area, and we will tell you if a repair would not be worth it compared with what the car is worth.

Can I drive with the battery light on?

Only as far as somewhere safe. If the alternator is not charging, the car is running on the battery alone and can cut out when it goes flat. Switch off anything you do not need, such as the heater fan and heated screens, and stop straight away if the steering goes heavy or the temperature gauge climbs, because the drive belt may have snapped.

Will I need a new battery as well?

Not always. A battery that has been run flat a few times can be damaged, so once the charging is fixed we test it and only recommend a new one if it needs it.

Charging faults fixed across the North West

We test and replace alternators at home and at work in all of these towns.

All areas we cover

Get your charging system checked

Tell us when the battery light comes on, what else the car is doing and where it is parked. We will get back to you with a price and our earliest time.

Some evening and Saturday appointments available at no extra labour charge.

For example: engine light came on this morning and it feels down on power.
A photo of the warning light or the damage helps us give you a closer price.

No obligation. Your details are only used to reply to you. Privacy policy.