auto electric repair

How do I know if it's my battery or my alternator?

A failing battery usually means the car cranks slowly or not at all when cold, headlights dim at idle, or the car starts fine after a jump but won't start again the next day. A failing alternator usually means the battery warning light comes on, headlights get dimmer when the engine speed drops, accessories behave strangely, or the car dies shortly after a jump-start because the alternator isn't recharging the battery. We test both together — the alternator's output under load, and the battery's capacity and cranking amps — so you don't replace the wrong part.

How long should a car battery last?

Most modern car batteries last three to five years in Ohio's climate, with four being typical. Short trips, extreme heat, parasitic draw from accessories left on, and deep discharges all shorten battery life. We load-test batteries as part of any electrical diagnostic so you know exactly where yours stands — rather than replacing on calendar guesswork.

Why does my car battery keep dying overnight?

A battery that drains overnight is almost always a parasitic draw — something is drawing current when the car should be fully asleep. Common culprits include a glove-box light that isn't shutting off, a faulty trunk or hood switch, an aftermarket alarm or radio, a failing module that won't enter sleep mode, or corroded wiring. Finding parasitic draws requires methodical testing with a multimeter and fuse-by-fuse isolation — the kind of patient diagnostic work that separates a real electrical shop from a parts-counter swap.

What are the signs of a bad alternator?

Classic alternator symptoms include the battery or charging system warning light on the dashboard, dim or flickering headlights (especially at idle), accessories cutting out intermittently, a whining or growling noise from under the hood, the battery going dead shortly after being jump-started, or the car stalling and then not restarting. Alternator replacement is the fix, and at Ernie's we can test the alternator's output and the battery's condition together before recommending anything.

What are the signs of a bad starter?

A bad starter often makes a single loud click when you turn the key (solenoid engaging but the motor not spinning), a rapid clicking without any crank, a grinding noise as if the starter gear is not engaging correctly, intermittent starting that gets worse over time, or the starter motor spinning without the engine cranking. A bad starter and a bad battery can sound similar — the single click can be either — so proper diagnosis is critical.

Can you diagnose intermittent electrical problems?

Yes — it's one of the areas where 48 years of experience really matters. Intermittent electrical problems (gremlins that come and go, dash lights that flicker, accessories that fail randomly) are notoriously hard to track down because the fault isn't always present when the vehicle is on the rack. We use scan tools, multimeters, circuit testers, and a methodical process of elimination to isolate intermittent faults. Expect an initial diagnostic charge; it's worth it to find the actual problem rather than throwing parts at it.

Do you work on modern vehicles with complex electronics?

Yes. Modern vehicles run on dozens of control modules, a CAN-bus network, and thousands of wiring connections. Ernie's is equipped to diagnose and repair complex electrical issues across foreign and domestic vehicles, including body control modules, engine control modules, and other electronic components. If we encounter a situation that requires dealer-only programming tools, we'll tell you honestly — but the vast majority of modern electrical work is well within our capability.