Power Your Drive in Central NC Charging System Diagnostics & Repair Few things are more frustrating (and scary) than having your car slowly lose power while you are driving. The radio cuts out, the headlights go dim, and finally, the engine stalls. Often, drivers assume they just have a bad battery, buy a new one, and are stranded again two days later.
The likely culprit? A failing alternator. At Wagner Mobile Mechanic Service, we specialize in diagnosing electrical frustrations. We don’t just guess; we test. We come to your location in Raleigh or Smithfield to accurately determine if your car needs a jump start or a major charging system repair.
Our Electrical Service Advantages
Digital System Testing Preserve Your Battery Life Belt & Tensioner Check Preserve Your Battery Life Belt & Tensioner Check Quality Alternators
Understanding Your Charging System The Hidden Power Plant Under Your Hood To understand why your car died, you need to understand how it gets power. Your battery is only used to start the car. Once the engine is running, the alternator takes over. It generates electricity to run your lights, radio, and air conditioning, while simultaneously recharging the battery. If the alternator dies, your car starts running off the battery alone—until the battery drains completely and the car stops.
We handle every aspect of this critical system:
Alternator Output Testing Before we replace any parts, we perform a load test. We measure exactly how many volts and amps your alternator is producing. A healthy alternator should produce between 13.5 and 14.5 volts. If it is reading below 13, it is failing to keep your battery charged.
Alternator Replacement Alternators fail for many reasons: worn-out carbon brushes, fried internal diodes, or failed bearings. We remove the faulty unit and install a premium-quality replacement that meets or exceeds your vehicle’s original specifications, ensuring your electrical system is stable for years to come.
Serpentine Belt & Tensioner Service The alternator is spun by a rubber belt connected to the engine. If this belt is loose, cracked, or slipping, the alternator won’t spin fast enough to generate power. We inspect the condition of your serpentine belt and the tensioner pulley. If they are worn, we replace them alongside the alternator to prevent squealing noises and future breakdowns.
Battery Health Check A bad alternator can ruin a good battery by constantly draining it or overcharging it. We test your battery’s “Health of State” to see if it survived the alternator failure. If it is damaged, we can replace it on the spot so you don’t get stuck again next week.
Wiring and Connection Inspection Sometimes, the alternator is fine, but the connection is bad. Corroded terminals or loose ground wires can mimic a failed alternator. We clean and tighten all electrical connections to ensure maximum current flow throughout your vehicle.
Service Showcase Don’t Get Stranded Twice If your battery light is on or your headlights are flickering, time is running out. Call the experts who come to you before your car leaves you stuck on the side of the road.
