COVID-19

NSW is currently dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak.


Before making a booking, please confirm the below:


  1. No member of your immediate household or yourself has been in contact with someone who has had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
  2. You do not currently have any flu like or respiratory symptoms - fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of smell or loss of taste.
  3. Having reviewed the list of the latest COVID-19 case locations in NSW and other states, you have not been to a venue on a date and time that requires self-isolation.

Perth and Peel COVID-19 lock down

Perth and Peel have entered a minimum 4-day lockdown from 12:01am, Tuesday 29 June 2021 until 12.01am, Saturday 3 July, 2021

For more information, please visit https://www.wa.gov.au/government/announcements/4-day-lockdown-introduced-perth-and-peel


If you can answer yes to one of the questions below, you can continue with your booking


  1. Are you an essential service or critical service employee? (Essential service employees list can be found here.)
  2. Is the service you require a breakdown or emergency repair?
  3. Is this something that is a matter of safety and you believe it cannot wait until restrictions ease?


If you feel there are extenuating circumstances with your booking or need further assistance please call 13 30 32 for help as to whether we can be of service to you.

South-East Queensland COVID-19 lock down

South East Queensland has entered a COVID-19 lockdown


If you can answer yes to one of the questions below, you can continue with your booking


  1. Are you an essential service or critical service employee? (Essential service employees list can be found here.)
  2. Is the service you require a breakdown or emergency repair?
  3. Is this something that is a matter of safety and you believe it cannot wait until restrictions ease?


If you feel there are extenuating circumstances with your booking or need further assistance please call 13 30 32 for help as to whether we can be of service to you.

South Australia COVID-19 lockdown

South Australia has entered a COVID-19 lockdown.


If you can answer yes to one of the questions below, you can continue with your booking


  1. Are you an essential service or critical service employee?
  2. Is the service you require a breakdown or emergency repair?
  3. Is this something that is a matter of safety and you believe it cannot wait until restrictions ease?


If you feel there are extenuating circumstances with your booking or need further assistance please call 13 30 32 for help as to whether we can be of service to you.

COVID-19

Victoria is currently dealing with a COVID-19 outbreak.


Before making a booking, please confirm the below:


  1. No member of your immediate household or yourself has been in contact with someone who has had a confirmed case of COVID-19 in the last 14 days.
  2. You do not currently have any flu like or respiratory symptoms - fever, cough, sore throat, shortness of breath, loss of smell or loss of taste.
  3. Having reviewed the list of the latest COVID-19 case locations in VIC and other states, you have not been to a venue on a date and time that requires self-isolation.

ACT COVID-19 lockdown

ACT has entered a COVID-19 lockdown.


If you can answer yes to one of the questions below, you can continue with your booking


  1. Are you an essential service or critical service employee?
  2. Is the service you require a breakdown or emergency repair?
  3. Is this something that is a matter of safety and you believe it cannot wait until restrictions ease?


If you feel there are extenuating circumstances with your booking or need further assistance please call 13 30 32 for help as to whether we can be of service to you.

Lube Mobile Hygiene Practices When Servicing Customers Vehicles

There is evidence that the Coronavirus (COVID-19) spreads from person to person, some reports suggest the virus can last for several days on surfaces including plastics found in vehicles.


Good hygiene can prevent infection from coronavirus as well as the common cold and flu.


With this in mind we wish to share with you what practices Lube Mobile have put in place to ensure the safety of our Customers and of our staff.


Prior to working inside a vehicle, the Lube Mobile technician will use the following procedure;


  1. The technician will check with you whether you have been overseas and ordered to comply with a self-isolation order.

  2. Disinfect car. 

  3. Disinfect hands. 

  4. Where possible avoid switching on HAVAC system (air conditioning / heater control). 


Disinfect Car

  1. Disinfect outside door handle prior to entering the vehicle. 

  2. Spray or wipe all relevant areas inside the vehicle. 

  3. Allow disinfectant to sit for up to 10mins to dry by airing out the vehicle. 

  4. Conduct works inside the vehicle.

  5. When the work is finished we will give the vehicle a final spray or wipe prior to returning the vehicle to you (including outside door handle). 


Parts of the Vehicle to be Disinfected

  1. Door handle (outside first then inside). 

  2. Steering wheel. 

  3. Radio and other control buttons and indicators. 

  4. Seat belt. 

  5. Any other areas we may need to touch when working inside the vehicle (i.e. glove box handles, drink holders, dashboard, hand brake and gears etc.) 


Disinfect Hands

  1. We will use hand sanitiser or washing of hands prior to entering the vehicle. 

  2. After completing the work we will Sanitise our hands thoroughly and close the door to the vehicle. 


Payment and Invoicing

  1. No Cash payments. Our strong preference is payment by card via the tap and go facility. 

  2. Printing of invoices and quotes will cease and we will instead email them to you. 


Should you have any queries regarding our Coronavirus (Covid-19) procedures, or any other matter please do not hesitate in contacting us on 13 30 32.


Afterpay loop We Accept Afterpay - Book Now

Car Alternator

Alternator Replacement

Test Alternator Charging Rate

Replace Alternator if needed

Test Battery

Check Starter Motor and Starting System

Check and Adjust Drive Belt

Check Pulleys and Tensioner Condition

A car alternator is used in all modern cars and is usually located near the front of a car engine. Its purpose is to power the electrical system while the engine is running, as well as to charge the car battery.

If you experience problems with your car battery or can’t start the car, there is a good chance that you have a problem with your alternator. You most likely need to have it serviced by a professional mobile mechanic.

At Lube Mobile, our highly-qualified mobile mechanics deliver doorstep vehicle services all across Australia including Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and Adelaide.

Our vans are equipped with a full range of tools and branded parts needed to perform almost any repair or replacement. Booking our on-site service will not just save you time but also prevent unnecessary travel to and from the workshop. With our mechanics working at your location, you can see what work is being done on your car.

The service cost and repair cost can differ based on the make and model and also the part which needs to be repaired. At Lube Mobile, the mechanic will show you an itemised quote of the work required and associated costs before commencing work on your vehicle. This will enable you to take control of the cost and help you decide if repairing a part or replacing it altogether will prove a cost-effective move in the long run.

We can also help if you are facing issues with your fan belt, fusible link, globes, headlights, battery, fuse, ignition switch and relay. Book us online and you’ll never have to worry about your car repair or car service.

What is an alternator in a car?

An alternator is a major part of a car’s charging system. There are three different components: an alternator, a voltage regulator, and a battery. The alternator, along with the battery, generates electric power, which is used by parts of the electrical system such as the instrument panel, exterior and interior lights.

While there is often confusion around whether an alternator produces ac or dc, the name alternator comes from the term alternating current.

An alternator typically has a full output rated at 6000 rpm, and won’t generate enough charging voltage until the speed is about 2000 rpm or more.

What does an alternator do?

A car alternator produces electricity and converts alternating current (AC) to direct current (DC). An engine alternator provides sufficient electrical energy to the battery to recharge. It also maintains enough voltage to power the accessories and components of a vehicle.

Each alternator is carefully configured for each car’s electrical system requirements such as the intensity and charging level.

But if problems occur, it can result in the car battery overcharging or undercharging, which are the leading causes of car battery overheating.

Does your alternator charge your battery?

Yes, the car alternator does charge the battery of your car, while it is idling, even with a strenuous load on the car battery.

However, if the amount of charge that the battery receives from the alternator is less than the electrical load of operating the lights, radio, AC etc. then it will lead to a car battery dead over time, which will result in the battery not charging anymore.

What makes an alternator go bad?

There are several different symptoms you will see when a car alternator begins to go bad. When you drive your car, you may notice electrical problems such as dim headlights.

Another sign is a dash light (also known as the battery light due to being shaped like a battery) which will appear. When this light appears, it is to alert the driver to check the charging system or any problems, because the engine alternator is not providing enough charge for the electrical system.

Often when a car battery is undercharged, it is a result of car accessories not being turned off overnight.

When the charging system is functioning correctly, you will see the charge indicator lamp appear when switching on the ignition. It will then go off after you start the car.

If the lamp doesn’t appear with the key turning on, then you need a possible replacement for the bulb or check the warning light circuit.

Other symptoms of a bad alternator can be caused by any of the following parts:

  • Worn or dirty bearings

  • A loose drive pulley

  • A faulty stator

  • A faulty diode

  • Improper routing of wiring or hoses

  • Loose mounting bolts

  • Brush/slip ring friction

Can you start a car with a bad alternator?

If you have a bad alternator, chances are you may not be able to start your car at the very first place. This is because even if your car engine is running, the faulty car alternator will not be able to charge the battery.

However, it’s still possible to start your car even if you find your car battery dead and have a bad alternator. To do so, you need to start the car by using another vehicle which has a good car battery.

All you will need is a set of jumper cables and to make sure the cars are turned off first.

  • Connect the red (positive) cable to the positive terminal for the car with the bad alternator.

  • Then connect the other red jumper cable to the car with the good battery on the positive terminal.

  • Next, connect the negative (black) cable to the car with the good battery to the negative terminal.

  • Lastly, connect the other black jumper cable anywhere on the engine of the car with the bad battery. This will act as a ground.

Important: Never put the black cable on the battery for the car which has to be jump-started.

Next, start the car which has a good battery. Make sure the engine is running for a few minutes. Then start the car with the bad engine alternator. If it doesn’t start, let the car run for a few more minutes before trying again.

When removing the cables, it’s critical to make sure the cables are separated from each other and don’t touch. As the lights won’t last long without a full charge, you should never jump-start your car with a broken alternator and drive it at night.

If you have a problem with your car alternator not charging, you should have a mechanic look at it immediately. Lube Mobile mechanics carry an extensive range of parts so they can fix the problem right away.

Car services can alert you to any mechanical failure that can not only have dangerous consequences, but also reduce your car’s longevity. To ensure that your car is safe on the road it is important that its lubricants, fluids, electronic and mechanical functions are changed, adjusted or checked at regular intervals.

At Lube Mobile, we are dedicated to providing regular car services or car repairs at the location and time of your choice, offering you a safe and hassle-free driving experience.

Components we can repair or replace:

Click on a heading for more information:

1300 578 135 1300578135