Take your car to several independent repair shops. Their prices should be better. Inquire with the BBB if you live in the USA.Look on the internet for recommended shops in your area. Your dealer is way too high.
Yes, if the alternator is functioning and you are not loading the charging circuit (using as much charge as the alternator is putting out so the battery receives nothing). Please note that "Idling" to charge the alternator normally does not work as the alternator is not turning fast enough to charge the battery, it only maintains the status quo for energy usage.
Charge it, replace it,test the alternator,Charge it, replace it,test the alternator,
Please clarify. Are you trying to make it charge? Year, make ,model, engine size helps...
$340 for the alternator for a Jeep Liberty with a $70 labor charge. 250 miles from home, I had no other options and they knew it...
Any alternator will charge at idle.
Change your alternator
I had this problem. The alternator was fine, it was the battery that was bad. The alternator was "pegging" out the indicator bc it was trying to charge the battery, but it wasnt taking charge. Take the battery out and have it checked.
alternator is bad
A bad belt, a bad regulator in the alternator or bad brushes in the alternator.
I'm not sure how many billable hours they charge for this but here's a ball park estimate.$125 for alternator (Autozone) they'll charge you a few bucks on top of that. Maybe $3-400 total depending on mechanic. They will also recommend you change your belts too.While the alternator is pulled they must remove your belts (Serpentine or Power steering or both). Have them change them if they are worn, thus you wont have to change them for a while. Don't let them charge any extra labor for that as they will have to take the belts off to replace the alternator!!!!
poor charge or intermitant charge from the alternator, also check condition of the alternator belt
You can have the alternator tested free of charge at just about any major auto parts store. By the way, a bad alternator will not "discharge" a battery - the alternator's function is to provide the charge to the battery. If the alternator is faulty, then it is not providing the charge necessary to keep other components from discharging the battery. I had the alternator tested and it was charging. If the alternator has a bad diode, it will discharge the battery. I replaced the alternator and everything is fine.