Home / Battery & Alternator
STARTING & CHARGING · COLORADO SPRINGS
BATTERY & ALTERNATOR SERVICE IN COLORADO SPRINGS
We test the whole starting and charging system, not just the battery, so you replace the part that actually failed. Cars, SUVs, diesel trucks and fleet vehicles, with batteries in stock.
★ 4.9 stars · 247 Google reviews
✓ 24-month / 24,000-mile warranty
✓ ASE-certified technicians
✓ Female-led, family-owned
What we do
BATTERY, ALTERNATOR AND STARTER REPAIR
Cold Colorado mornings are hard on batteries, and a weak charging system can leave you stranded.
01
Battery
A battery can pass a quick voltage check and still fail on the first cold morning.
✓ Load testing under real starting demand
✓ Correct replacement size and cold cranking rating
✓ Terminals and cables cleaned or replaced
✓ Battery registration on vehicles that need it
02
Charging system
When the alternator weakens, the battery slowly drains until the vehicle will not start.
✓ Alternator output tested before replacement
✓ Belts and tensioners checked
✓ Charging wiring and grounds
✓ Dual-battery systems on diesel trucks
03
No-start
Clicking, slow cranking or nothing at all can come from several parts. We test each one.
✓ Starter testing and replacement
✓ Cable and ground repair
✓ Relays and switches diagnosed
✓ Security and immobilizer no-starts
CARS, SUVS & LIGHT TRUCKS
WHY DO BATTERIES AND ALTERNATORS FAIL SO OFTEN IN COLORADO SPRINGS?
Cold mornings, big day-to-night temperature swings and a lot of short trips around town are hard on a 12-volt system. Newer vehicles add a second layer: the car watches its own battery and has to be told when a new one goes in.
COLD STARTS
Why does my battery quit on the first cold morning?
Because cold cuts what a battery can deliver at the same moment the engine asks for more.
GOOD TO KNOW
AAA puts the loss at about 35% of a battery's strength at 32°F and about 60% at 0°F, while a cold engine can need up to twice the current to start.
SIGNS IT'S ON THE WAY OUT
Slow crank: the engine turns over sluggishly on cold mornings but fine in the afternoon.
Clicking or dim dash: the battery can't hold voltage while the starter pulls.
Age: AAA puts average battery life at three to five years, closer to three on vehicles loaded with electronics.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We load- or conductance-test the battery against its cold cranking amp rating, check the cables and grounds, and test the alternator so you don't put a new battery on a bad charging system.
Colorado Springs: the cold snaps, the wide temperature swings and the short trips that never fully recharge a battery are what wear it out. Get it tested in the fall, before the first hard freeze.
BATTERY TYPE
Does my car need an AGM battery?
If it came from the factory with one, yes. And most cars with engine start-stop need either an AGM or an enhanced flooded (EFB) battery.
WHAT TO KNOW
Start-stop cars: the battery restarts the engine at every light and runs the electronics while it's off. A standard flooded battery isn't built for that and wears out fast.
Match what's there: the vehicle's charging strategy is set up for a specific battery type. Downgrading can shorten battery life and cause start-stop and charging messages.
Size and rating: the replacement should meet or beat the original's cold cranking amps and reserve capacity.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We identify what your vehicle calls for and install the correct type, size and rating.
BATTERY REGISTRATION
Why does a new battery need to be registered or coded?
Because many newer vehicles adjust their charging to the battery's age. If nobody tells the car a new battery is in, it keeps charging it like the old, worn one.
BY MAKE
BMW, Mercedes, Audi, VW: these typically require the new battery to be registered, and often coded for its type and capacity, with a scan tool. Skipping it can shorten the new battery's life.
Newer Ford: the battery management system uses a sensor at the negative terminal and needs time with the vehicle locked and asleep to relearn the battery.
Newer GM: the charging system uses a battery current sensor on the negative cable to decide when and how hard to charge.
Mercedes auxiliary battery: many Mercedes models have a second, smaller battery. An 'Auxiliary Battery Malfunction' message commonly points to that battery, not the main one.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We register and code the new battery with factory-level software as part of the job, not as an afterthought.
GM TRUCKS & SUVS
What does 'Service Battery Charging System' mean on my Chevy or GMC?
It means the truck's charging management has seen voltage or current it doesn't like and can't correct on its own. It is not always the alternator.
WHAT'S BEHIND IT
Common causes: a worn battery, a weak alternator, a faulty battery current sensor, or corroded cables and grounds.
Why guessing costs money: the system decides charging from sensor data, so a bad sensor or ground can look exactly like a bad alternator.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We read the charging-system data with a scan tool, test the battery and alternator, and check the sensor and grounds before replacing anything.
CHRYSLER, DODGE, JEEP & RAM
Why does my Jeep, Ram or Chrysler say start-stop is unavailable?
Often it's the Intelligent Battery Sensor (IBS) on the negative terminal, or a battery that isn't fully charged. It's not always a bad part.
GOOD TO KNOW
A Chrysler technical bulletin says many sensor replacements are unnecessary. It calls for resetting the sensor, letting the vehicle sleep to relearn, checking the sensor's wiring, and charging the battery through the correct ground point.
WHAT TO KNOW
Charging it wrong: clamping a charger straight to the negative post can bypass the sensor and throw off its reading.
Battery light vs. start-stop light: a lit battery warning points at the charging system, not the sensor.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We follow the factory procedure, test the battery and charging system, and only replace the sensor if a fault stays active.
PARASITIC DRAIN
Why does my battery keep going dead overnight?
Something is staying awake after you shut the vehicle off. That's called a parasitic draw.
WHAT TO KNOW
Common culprits: a module that won't go to sleep, a stuck relay, a glovebox or trunk light, aftermarket accessories, or a failing alternator diode.
It takes patience: modern vehicles can take up to about an hour for every module to shut down, so a quick check can miss it.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We measure the draw after the vehicle is fully asleep, then isolate it circuit by circuit and module by module until we find the source.
ALTERNATORS
How do I know if it's the alternator and not the battery?
A bad alternator usually shows up while you're driving. A bad battery usually shows up when you try to start.
SIGNS
Warning light or message: a battery light or charging message while the engine is running.
Dimming lights: headlights or dash lights that dim at idle and brighten with RPM.
Repeat dead batteries: a new battery that keeps going flat.
Noise or smell: a whine or growl from the front of the engine, or a hot electrical smell.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We test alternator output under load, check the belt and cables, and scan the charging system before recommending a replacement.
HYBRIDS & EVS
Do you work on hybrid or electric vehicle batteries?
No. We don't service hybrid high-voltage batteries or electric vehicles.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We do test and replace the regular 12-volt battery on hybrids, and diagnose the 12-volt starting and charging side.
DIESEL TRUCKS
WHAT'S DIFFERENT ABOUT DIESEL TRUCK BATTERIES AND CHARGING SYSTEMS?
Power Stroke, Duramax and Cummins pickups carry two batteries, pull big current through glow plugs or an intake heater, and often run high-output or dual alternators. That changes how you test and replace them.
DUAL BATTERIES
Do both batteries have to be replaced at the same time?
Yes. The two batteries are wired together, so a new one paired with an old one gets dragged down to the old one's level.
WHAT TO KNOW
Why it matters: the stronger battery keeps trying to charge the weaker one, which shortens the new battery's life and can still leave you with a slow crank.
Match them: same type, same size, same rating, same age.
Check the cables: corroded or loose cables between the two batteries cause many 'bad battery' complaints.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We test each battery individually, replace them as a matched pair when needed, and clean or replace the cables and grounds.
COLD STARTS
Why does my diesel crank slow on cold mornings?
Before it fires, a diesel spends a lot of battery on glow plugs or an intake grid heater. Weak batteries show it first.
WHAT TO KNOW
Glow plugs: Power Stroke and Duramax engines heat each cylinder with glow plugs, controlled by a module or relay.
Grid heater: Cummins engines in Ram trucks use an intake air grid heater, which draws very high current.
Recall on 2021–2023 Ram 6.7L Cummins: the intake heater grid relay is under recall because it can short and cause a fire. Check your VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We test batteries, glow plug or grid heater circuits and relays together so we're not chasing a slow crank one part at a time.
Colorado Springs: diesels that sit outside overnight in January ask the most of their batteries. A fall load test catches the weak one before it strands you.
6.0L POWER STROKE
Can weak batteries really damage a 6.0 Power Stroke?
They can. The 6.0's fuel injection control module (FICM) turns 12 volts into about 48 volts to fire the injectors, and low battery or alternator voltage is widely blamed for wearing out its power supply.
WHAT TO KNOW
Symptoms: hard starts, rough cold idle, smoke and misfire codes.
Prevention: keep the batteries strong and the charging system healthy, and test both every fall.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We check battery condition, charging output and FICM output voltage before anyone spends money on injectors.
ALTERNATORS
My truck has two alternators. Does that change anything?
Yes. Many diesel pickups offer a factory high-output or dual-alternator setup for plows, upfits and heavy electrical loads, and both have to be working.
WHAT TO KNOW
One can hide the other: a truck can seem to charge fine on one alternator until the load goes up.
Belt and wiring: a second alternator adds a belt path, brackets and a heavy charge cable to inspect.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We test each alternator's output separately under load and check the charge cables and grounds.
RVS
DO YOU SERVICE RV BATTERIES?
We handle the chassis side of motorhomes: the engine starting battery, the alternator and the cab's 12-volt system. We don't work on coach or house systems like house batteries, inverters, converters or solar.
CHASSIS VS. HOUSE
Which battery starts my motorhome's engine?
The chassis battery. It's separate from the house batteries that run the living area, and it's the one we test, charge and replace.
WHAT WE DO AND DON'T
Chassis side (we do): engine starting battery, alternator, starter and cab electrical.
House side (we don't): house batteries, inverters, converters, solar and coach wiring.
Some coaches link them: many motorhomes have a dash switch that ties the house batteries to the chassis battery for a boost start. It helps in a pinch but can also pull both down.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We diagnose why the chassis battery won't hold a charge and repair the starting and charging side.
STORAGE
Why is my motorhome dead after sitting all winter?
Batteries slowly lose charge on their own, and small loads keep pulling even when nothing seems to be on.
WHY IT HAPPENS
Disconnect switch left on: clocks, radios and modules keep drawing.
Some loads bypass the switch: even with it off, certain circuits can still draw a little.
Freezing: a discharged battery can freeze at temperatures a fully charged one handles easily, and a frozen battery is finished.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We test the chassis battery, measure any draw with the disconnect off and on, and replace or recharge as needed before your first trip.
Colorado Springs: a motorhome parked from October to April sees plenty of hard freezes. Keep the chassis battery charged or disconnected, and have it tested before spring.
FLEETS
HOW DO YOU KEEP FLEET BATTERIES FROM FAILING?
Work trucks, Isuzu NPRs and Sprinter vans carry extra lights, upfit equipment and tracking hardware, and they idle a lot. All of that shows up at the battery.
IDLE & ACCESSORY DRAIN
Why do our work trucks keep killing batteries?
Usually a load the charging system can't keep up with, or one that never shuts off.
COMMON CAUSES
Upfit equipment: strobes, work lights, inverters and power outlets running at idle.
Tracking devices: units wired to constant power can draw after the truck is parked.
Grounds on the battery post: Ford warns not to ground accessories directly to the negative post because it throws off the battery sensor. Upfits often do exactly that.
Idling: long idle time with heavy electrical load may not keep a battery fully charged.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We measure draw with the truck asleep, check how upfit and tracking wiring is powered and grounded, and correct it so the charging system sees the true load.
TESTING SCHEDULE
How often should fleet batteries be tested?
At every scheduled service, and once more before winter.
WHY IT PAYS
Catch it in the bay, not at the roadside: a battery that tests weak in the bay costs far less than a truck that won't start at a job site.
Record it: tracking test results by unit shows which trucks are eating batteries and why.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
We test the battery, charging system and cables at each visit and note the results so you can plan replacements.
OUR PROCESS
HOW DOES BATTERY AND CHARGING TESTING WORK?
A new battery on a bad alternator, or a new alternator on a bad ground, is money wasted. We test the whole system before we recommend anything.
WHAT WE TEST
What happens when you test my battery and charging system?
We test the battery, the alternator, the starter circuit and anything draining the battery with the key off, then show you the results.
THE TESTS
Battery test: a load or conductance test compares what your battery can actually deliver to its rated cold cranking amps.
Charging system test: we measure alternator output at idle and under load, and check for voltage drop in the cables and grounds.
Starter draw: we check how much current the starter pulls and whether the cables can carry it.
Parasitic draw test: with the vehicle fully asleep, we measure what's still drawing power and trace it to its source.
Registration: on vehicles that need it, the new battery is registered or coded before it leaves.
WHAT WESTCO DOES
Parts and labor are covered by our 24-month/24,000-mile warranty.
WHAT WE TEST
THE WHOLE STARTING AND CHARGING SYSTEM
A dead battery is a symptom. These are the four places the cause usually hides.
BATTERY
Condition under load
• Load test, not just voltage
• Cold cranking capacity
• Terminal corrosion
• Age and date code
ALTERNATOR
Output and ripple
• Output at idle and under load
• Diode and ripple check
• Belt condition
• Wiring and fuse links
STARTER
Cranking circuit
• Voltage drop on cables
• Starter draw
• Relay and switch
• Ground connections
PARASITIC DRAW
Dies overnight
• Draw measured with the key off
• Modules that stay awake
• Aftermarket accessories
• Traced circuit by circuit
FREE INSPECTION
BOOK A FREE STARTING AND CHARGING TEST
Slow crank, clicking, or a battery that keeps dying? We load-test the battery and check the alternator, starter and cables before recommending anything. Prefer the phone? Call (719) 591-7743.
BATTERY QUESTIONS WE ANSWER EVERY WEEK
Straight answers from our techs
WHY DOES MY BATTERY KEEP DYING?
Either the battery is worn out, the alternator is not charging it, or something is drawing power with the vehicle off. Replacing the battery alone only fixes the first one.
Warning signs
Dead after sitting · Slow crank · Battery light · New battery died too
What we do
We test the battery, the charging output and the key-off draw, so you fix the real cause the first time.
Colorado Springs: Cold mornings are when weak batteries fail. Get it tested before the first hard freeze.
HOW DO I KNOW IF IT IS THE BATTERY OR THE ALTERNATOR?
A bad battery usually struggles to start the vehicle. A bad alternator lets it start but drains the battery while you drive, often with a warning light or dim lights.
Warning signs
Battery warning light · Dim or flickering lights · Whine from the engine bay · Dies while driving
What we do
We test both on the vehicle and show you the readings before recommending a part.
Colorado Springs: Short winter trips may not recharge a weak battery. A test tells you where it stands.
WHY DOES MY CAR CLICK BUT NOT START?
A single click or rapid clicking can mean a weak battery, a bad connection, a failing starter or a relay. Each one needs a different fix.
Warning signs
Rapid clicking · Single click · Lights work but no crank · Intermittent no-start
What we do
We test voltage at each point in the starting circuit to find the failed part.
DO DIESEL TRUCKS NEED BOTH BATTERIES REPLACED?
Most diesel pickups run two batteries that work as a pair. A weak one drags the good one down, so they are usually tested and replaced together.
Warning signs
Slow cold crank · Uneven battery test · Corroded cables · Glow plug season
What we do
We load-test each battery separately and check both cable sets before recommending anything.
WHAT DRAINS A BATTERY OVERNIGHT?
Modules that do not go to sleep, aftermarket accessories, stuck relays and lights that stay on are the usual causes.
Warning signs
Dead after a few days · Dead every morning · Accessory installed recently · Warm battery
What we do
We measure the draw with the key off and trace it circuit by circuit until we find the source.
Colorado Springs: A vehicle that sits for weeks, like during a deployment or a long trip, can come back to a dead battery. A tender helps.