If your car keeps needing jump starts, replacing the battery isn’t always the answer. In many cases, the real problem is that the battery isn’t being charged while you’re driving.
If your car keeps needing jump starts, replacing the battery isn’t always the answer. In many cases, the real problem is that the battery isn’t being charged while you’re driving. At Avant Auto Assist, we regularly attend roadside assistance call-outs where customers believe they have a flat battery, only for our diagnostics to reveal a completely different fault. This recent breakdown in Wigan highlights why professional testing is essential before replacing any parts.
We received a call from a customer in Wigan whose vehicle would not start outside their workplace. The customer explained:
When we arrived, we carried out a full battery diagnostic. Although the battery had enough voltage to start with assistance, something didn’t look right. Rather than replacing the battery immediately, we continued testing the charging system.
Using professional diagnostic equipment, we tested the alternator output. The alternator was producing significantly less charging voltage than expected. This meant the battery was never being fully recharged while the customer was driving. Every journey slowly drained the battery until eventually the vehicle would no longer start.
We successfully jump-started the vehicle and confirmed it was safe for the customer to drive directly to a garage. We explained that another battery replacement would not solve the issue because the charging system itself required repair. The customer appreciated the honest advice and arranged for the alternator to be replaced.
Common signs of a failing alternator include:
Avant Auto Assist provides:
We provide roadside assistance across:
Yes. If the alternator isn’t charging correctly, the battery will eventually become discharged.
Not until the charging system has been tested.
Yes. Our technicians can test both the battery and charging system before recommending repairs.
If your car keeps needing jump starts or won’t start at all, Avant Auto Assist can diagnose the fault and get you moving again quickly. Contact us today for fast roadside assistance across Wigan and the UK.
Straight to a technician. No call centres. UK-wide coverage, 24/7.
Running out of fuel can happen to anyone. Whether you’ve been distracted, misjudged your remaining fuel range, or simply couldn’t reach a petrol station in time, finding yourself stranded can be stressful.
Locking your keys inside your car is stressful enough, but when the engine is still running, the situation becomes even more urgent.
When a vehicle won’t start, most drivers immediately assume they simply need a jump start. While that is often the case, some breakdowns involve additional problems that make the job far more challenging.
