Auto Electrical Repair & Maintenance

Have a dead battery? Misfiring starter or alternator? For all of your auto electrical repair and maintenance needs, come to Rick's Auto Care & Tire Center in Front Royal, VA 22630. We service your vehicle with care, providing a high level of workmanship you can trust.

Our auto electrical repair and maintenance services include:

Alternators
An alternator is an automotive device that converts mechanical energy to electric energy (ac). Alternators are important parts of your car's engine and their failure would translate to your car's failure. When your car's alternator develops problems, seek expert help. At Rick's Auto Care & Tire Center, we have experts who can handle all your alternator needs to get you back on the road - quickly. Visit Rick's Auto Care & Tire Center today.

Batteries
The battery supplies electric energy which powers the ignition system, the starter motor, and the lights of an automotive. If you need to jump-start your vehicle in the morning, your battery could be failing. When a battery starts deteriorating, it can either be replaced or repaired - this will depend on the severity of the damage. If you are having issues with your car battery, contact Rick's Auto Care & Tire Center in Front Royal, VA. We provide a convenient battery testing and replacement service to get you back on the road. Battery replacement, charging, installation, testing, and recycling - we handle it all.

Starters
A starter is a motor (electric, hydraulic or pneumatic) that rotates the internal combustion engine to initiate the engine's operation. Starters are important parts of your car's engine and their failure would translate to your car's failure. When your car's starter develops problems, seek expert help. At Rick's Auto Care & Tire Center, we have experts who can handle all your starter needs to get you back on the road - quickly. Visit Rick's Auto Care & Tire Center today.

Battery Questions and Answers

Q: What are mistakes made when jumping a car?

A: Mixing up negative and positive cables is the most common mistake. When you mix up the negative and positive cable it ruins your car's alternator. Just remember black to negative and red to positive. Other common mistakes are using cheap cables that don't conduct properly, letting the cables swing and become detached, touching the clips together, and ignoring cracks in your battery or dirty battery terminals.

Q: What should I be careful of when changing a car battery?

A: It may sound obvious but be sure that you do not drop the battery. Be careful not to let the tools touch both the negative and positive terminals simultaneously, as it could create a spark, cause the battery to short out, or even damage the vehicle's electrical components. Make sure to separate the cables to the side so that they don't touch the battery until it is in place. Attach the negative cable first and then the positive cable. If have any doubts while you are trying to change your battery you should always call in an expert.

Q: How do I replace my car battery without losing car memory?

A: Use a car memory saver or other secondary power source. If you don't own a car memory saver, come to Rick's Auto Care & Tire Center and we can do this process for you. First, make sure to turn off your car before you unplug the battery. Next, plug the car memory saver into the cigarette lighter or the OBD2 connector. Remove the old battery and install the new battery and attach the connectors. Finally, unplug the memory saver from the car.

Q: Do I need to reprogram my car after battery replacement?

A: Your cars' complex electrical and computer systems rely on the battery. However, for a gas-powered car it is unlikely that you will need to reprogram or reset the electrical system or computer system after replacement. When you get your battery replaced at an auto repair shop, they may use a secondary power source when changing your battery to ensure that your electrical system and vital computer systems do not lose power. Reprogramming or resetting the electrical and computer systems only needs to be done if your car battery has been dead or disconnected for a long period of time. During a reset your car computers will return to the original manufacturing setting and lose any data it has collected such as information for oxygen to gas ratios during shifting.

Q: Why is my engine stalling after replacing my car battery?

A: If your car lost battery power completely then your car's computer system may have lost valuable information to regulate engine performance causing it to stall even after you replace the battery. However, the car's system will quickly collect new data and engine performance should return to normal. In some case you may need to have the throttle body, or your idle air control valve cleaned out as carbon deposits can build up inside these parts, pushing them beyond the computer's ability to regulate engine performance.

Car Starting Questions and Answers

Q: How do I unlock my steering wheel?

A: Place your foot on the brake and turn the wheel in the direction in which it has a little range of motion. This should ease the tension in the steering column and allow you to turn the key. Turning the key unlocks the steering wheel. Do not try to unlock your steering wheel without a key or if the battery is dead. This should only be done by a professional auto repair technician.

Q: How do I change my keyless entry remote battery?

A: This should work for most remotes:

1. Remove the metal blade key from the remote.
2. Use a standard (flat head) screwdriver to gently pry open the fob
3. Remove the battery. It is usually a small round lithium watch battery.
4. Insert a new battery
5. Snap the key fob back together
6. Insert the metal blade key into the fob.

Q: Why won't my car start?

A: The most common reason why a car will not start is a bad or dead battery. However, there are several other possibilities too. If you are having trouble getting your vehicle started, give Rick's Auto Care & Tire Center a call at 540-636-4040. Our auto repair professionals will try to help you diagnose the issue, which could be one of these problems:

• Failing alternator
• Starter motor
• Ignition switch malfunction
• Bad spark plugs
• Cracked distributor cap
• Broken timing belt

Lights Questions and Answers

Q: What are the 3 situations where headlights are required?

A: First, you should make sure both of your headlights are in good working order before driving your car. Headlights must be in use from sunset to sunrise. Headlights are also necessary when you cannot see more than 400 feet in front of you. You should also use your car's headlights whenever windshield wipers are in use. In addition, some studies have shown that when drivers elect to always drive with their headlights on it can reduce automobile accidents.

Q: Do parking lights and turn signals use the same bulb?

A: Yes, your car uses the same bulb for the front turn signal and parking lights. Side bulbs are located on the inside of the wheel wells. All lights on your car will eventually burn out and need to be replaced.