Go Time Auto Repair

Starter and alternator repair in North Miami

A car that cranks on the first turn and keeps its battery charged on a long night of rides. We test the starter, alternator and battery together, because they fail in ways that look alike. Then we replace the part that is actually bad, with a written price you saw first.

Book starter or alternator (786) 884-4889
Typical time in the bay
1 to 3 hours, depending on where the part sits in the engine bay
How the price works
In writing, first
What we do

Starter and alternator

  • Test starter current draw and voltage drop at the cables
  • Test alternator output, ripple and the charging voltage under load
  • Replace the starter or alternator with a new or quality remanufactured unit
  • Replace the drive belt and tensioner when the alternator comes out and they are worn
  • Clean and tighten the battery cables and ground straps
  • Check the ignition switch and neutral safety switch on no-crank complaints
  • Verify charging at idle with the AC and headlights on, the hardest condition
Signs you need this

Signs you need this

  • A single click or rapid clicking when you turn the key
  • The engine cranks slowly or not at all with a good battery
  • The battery light is on while driving
  • Headlights get brighter when you rev the engine
  • A whining noise that changes with engine speed
  • A grinding noise when starting
How the price works

You get the test results and a written price before we replace anything. The starter or alternator and any belt are taxed as parts; the labor is not. Your warranty pick of 90 days, 1 year or 2 years is priced on the quote so you can compare.

Questions people ask

Is it the battery, the starter or the alternator?
A dead battery that takes a jump and then dies again while driving points to the alternator. A good battery with a click and no crank points to the starter or its cables. We test all three in the same visit so you replace the right one.
Why did my alternator fail so early?
Heat and load. Running the AC, lights and a phone charger in stop-and-go traffic keeps the alternator at full output in a hot engine bay. Rideshare cars in Miami work their alternators harder than most.
Can I drive with the battery light on?
Only to get somewhere safe. Once the alternator quits, the car is running on the battery alone and you have maybe 20 to 40 minutes before it dies, less at night with the lights on.
Do you use remanufactured starters and alternators?
We offer both new and remanufactured, and we tell you which is which on the quote. Quality reman units from a good supplier are a solid choice on most cars, and the warranty you choose covers either.
Why does it sometimes start and sometimes not?
Worn starter contacts, a corroded cable or a failing ignition switch can all cause an intermittent no-start. We check the voltage at the starter during the failure to pin it down instead of guessing.

Related

Battery replacement

A car that starts every morning, even after it sat in the driveway through a weekend of rain.

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Electrical repair

Windows that go up, lights that stay on, and a car that does not eat fuses.

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Car diagnostics

You describe what the car is doing, we find out why.

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Tune-up and spark plugs

A smooth idle at the light and the fuel economy you had when the car was new.

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Ready to book?

Pick a time. We text you the written price before any work starts.

Book starter or alternator(786) 884-4889