A dead battery, a failing starter, or a worn-out alternator can leave a commercial diesel truck stranded — and on Indianapolis roads, that downtime costs real money. Paul's Repair Shop provides complete truck battery replacement, starter repair, and alternator service for commercial drivers and fleet operators throughout Marion County, using load testing and charging system diagnostics to confirm exactly which component is failing before any part is replaced.
Whether your diesel truck battery won't hold a charge, your starter is clicking instead of cranking, or your alternator is no longer keeping the system charged, our ASE-certified diesel mechanics diagnose the root cause and provide an honest, written truck battery price or repair estimate before work begins. From a single 12V replacement to a full dual-battery commercial setup, Indianapolis drivers trust Paul's Repair Shop for starting and charging system repairs backed by a 12-month warranty.
Truck battery price varies significantly based on battery type, cold cranking amp (CCA) rating, and whether your diesel truck uses a single or dual-battery configuration. The table below reflects typical national pricing ranges for commercial and diesel truck batteries, starters, and alternators.
| Battery Type | Price Range | Battery Type | Price Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard 12V Commercial Battery (flooded) | $120 – $220 | AGM / High-CCA Diesel Battery | $200 – $350 |
| Dual 12V Heavy-Duty Set (common on diesel) | $300 – $500+ | 24V Dual-Battery System (long-haul) | $400 – $700+ |
Diesel engines typically require higher cold cranking amps than gasoline engines, and many commercial trucks use a dual 12V or full 24V configuration — which is part of why diesel truck battery replacement often costs roughly three times more than replacing a single battery on a standard pickup.
| Service | Typical Price | Notes | Avg. Labor Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter Motor Replacement | $400 – $1,200 | $1,000 – $1,500+ for diesel trucks / tight engine bays | 1.5 – 4 hours |
| Alternator Repair (rebuild) | $200 – $400 | Component-level fix when only brushes, bearings, or voltage regulator failed | 1 – 2 hours |
| Alternator Replacement (remanufactured) | $300 – $600 | Most common option for commercial diesel trucks — strong warranty, lower cost than new | 1.5 – 2.5 hours |
| Alternator Replacement (new/heavy-duty) | $400 – $900+ | For high-amperage commercial charging systems with heavy electrical loads | 1.5 – 2.5 hours |
📊 DATA SOURCE: Pricing ranges compiled from PartCatalog cost guides, RepairPal Fair Price Estimator, AlternatorRepairCost.com, Blaine Brothers heavy-duty truck repair data, and CarParts.com alternator cost analysis.
Diesel trucks and vehicles with tight engine bays generally fall toward the higher end of these ranges due to longer labor times and heavier-duty replacement parts. The exact truck battery price or repair cost for your specific vehicle depends on make, model, battery group size, and electrical system demands — Paul's Repair Shop in Indianapolis, IN provides a free, written estimate before any work begins so there are no surprises on the final bill.
Starting and charging system problems rarely happen without warning. Catching these signs early can mean the difference between a routine truck battery replacement and being stranded on an Indianapolis interstate. If you notice any of the following, call Paul's Repair Shop at (317) 292-8500.
| Status | Warning Sign | What It Means for Your Indianapolis Truck |
|---|---|---|
| ⚠️ | Slow or Sluggish Engine Crank | An engine that cranks slowly despite a recently charged battery is a classic early sign you need a truck battery replacement or further diagnostic testing. |
| ⚠️ | Single Loud Click When Turning the Key | A single loud click usually points to a failing starter solenoid or worn internal starter components — a clear signal that truck starter repair is needed before a complete no-start occurs. |
| ⚠️ | Dimming Headlights or Dash Lights at Idle | Headlights or dashboard lights that dim noticeably at idle but brighten when revving the engine typically indicate the alternator is not generating consistent output, a key truck alternator repair symptom. |
| ⚠️ | Battery Light Illuminated on the Dashboard | An illuminated battery warning light signals a charging system problem — most often a failing alternator unable to keep the diesel truck battery properly charged while driving. |
| ⚠️ | Repeated Battery Drain After Replacement | If you've already replaced your battery and the same starting problem returns, a failing alternator is the most likely culprit, not the new battery itself. |
| ⚠️ | Whining or Grinding Noise from the Engine Bay | A whining or grinding sound near the starter or alternator location often indicates worn bearings or a failing internal component requiring prompt inspection. |
A healthy alternator should keep your battery fully charged at all times — if your battery keeps draining despite being relatively new, the alternator is the more likely culprit, not the battery itself. Schedule a full charging system diagnostic at Paul's Repair Shop in Indianapolis, IN before a warning sign turns into a roadside breakdown.
Our comprehensive starting and charging system service at Paul's Repair Shop covers every component — from initial diagnostics to final load testing before your truck leaves the shop.
| Service Included | What We Do | Avg. Time |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Testing & Replacement | Load testing of the existing battery followed by truck battery replacement using commercial-grade flooded or AGM batteries matched to your engine's cold cranking amp requirements. | 20–40 min |
| Starter Motor Repair & Replacement | Diagnosis of slow-crank or no-crank conditions, followed by truck starter repair or full starter replacement using OEM-quality or remanufactured units. | 1.5–4 hours |
| Alternator Rebuild & Replacement | Bench testing of alternator output, followed by truck alternator repair (brush, bearing, or voltage regulator replacement) or full alternator replacement when internal components have failed. | 1.5–2.5 hours |
| Charging System Diagnostics | Complete charging system test covering battery, starter, and alternator together — pinpointing exactly which component is causing a starting or charging fault before any part is replaced. | ---- |
| Battery Cable & Terminal Service | Cleaning, repair, or replacement of corroded battery cables and terminals — a frequent and overlooked cause of starting problems even with a healthy diesel truck battery. | ---- |
| Cold-Weather Starting System Check | Pre-winter inspection of battery cold cranking amps, starter performance, and alternator output to prevent no-start conditions during Indiana winters. | ---- |
| Dual & 24V System Service | Testing and service of dual 12V and 24V battery configurations common on long-haul commercial diesel trucks and heavy equipment. | ---- |
| Free Truck Battery Price Quote | Upfront, written truck battery price estimate before any work begins — so you know the exact cost of parts and labor before committing to a repair. | ---- |
Load testing of the existing battery followed by truck battery replacement using commercial-grade flooded or AGM batteries matched to your engine's cold cranking amp requirements.
Diagnosis of slow-crank or no-crank conditions, followed by truck starter repair or full starter replacement using OEM-quality or remanufactured units.
Bench testing of alternator output, followed by truck alternator repair (brush, bearing, or voltage regulator replacement) or full alternator replacement when internal components have failed.
Complete charging system test covering battery, starter, and alternator together — pinpointing exactly which component is causing a starting or charging fault before any part is replaced.
Cleaning, repair, or replacement of corroded battery cables and terminals — a frequent and overlooked cause of starting problems even with a healthy diesel truck battery.
Pre-winter inspection of battery cold cranking amps, starter performance, and alternator output to prevent no-start conditions during Indiana winters.
Testing and service of dual 12V and 24V battery configurations common on long-haul commercial diesel trucks and heavy equipment.
Upfront, written truck battery price estimate before any work begins — so you know the exact cost of parts and labor before committing to a repair.
The starter is a compact, high-torque electric motor that engages the engine's flywheel and spins the crankshaft until the engine fires up on its own. A starter for truck applications needs to generate significantly more torque than a passenger car starter, since diesel engines have higher compression ratios and require more cranking force to start. When the starter fails, the engine typically won't crank at all, or you'll hear a single loud click as the solenoid engages without the motor turning over.
Truck starter repair at Paul's Repair Shop in Indianapolis, IN begins with confirming the battery and connections are good before condemning the starter — a healthy battery delivering at least 9.6 volts under cranking load with a properly functioning starter should turn the engine over briskly. If voltage is good but the engine still won't crank, the starter or its solenoid is the likely point of failure.
The alternator's job starts only after the engine is running: it recharges the battery and powers every electrical system on the truck while you drive, including lights, sensors, onboard computers, and accessories. A failing truck alternator typically does not prevent the engine from starting on a healthy battery — instead, symptoms show up gradually, such as dimming lights at idle, a battery warning light, or a battery that drains repeatedly even after replacement.
Truck alternator repair can mean two different things: a full rebuild of the existing unit (replacing brushes, bearings, or the voltage regulator) or a complete replacement with a remanufactured or new alternator. At Paul's Repair Shop in Indianapolis, we bench test the alternator's output before recommending either option, since a targeted truck alternator repair is often more cost-effective than full replacement when only one internal component has failed.
| Symptom | Likely Cause |
|---|---|
| Engine won't crank at all, single click heard | Starter or solenoid failure — needs truck starter repair |
| Engine cranks slowly, but eventually starts | Weak battery or corroded terminals — may need diesel truck battery replacement |
| Engine starts fine, but lights dim while driving | Failing alternator — needs truck alternator repair |
| Battery keeps dying even after replacement | Alternator not recharging properly — confirm with charging system test |
| Battery warning light stays on | Charging system fault — typically points to the alternator, not the battery |
Paul's Repair Shop is Indianapolis's trusted choice for diagnosing starting and charging system problems correctly the first time. Whether your diesel truck needs truck starter repair, truck alternator repair, or a complete truck battery replacement, every service is backed by our 12-month warranty.
Paul's Repair Shop is Indianapolis's trusted source for truck battery replacement, truck starter repair, and truck alternator repair — serving commercial truck drivers, owner-operators, and fleet operators throughout Marion County with honest diagnostics, ASE-certified expertise, and transparent truck battery price quotes. Whether your diesel truck won't start, your alternator is failing, or you simply want a preventive charging system check before winter, our Indianapolis diesel mechanics are ready to help. Request a free estimate online or call (317) 292-8500.
