Motorcar Parts of America (MPA) has launched the “Call Before You Return” warranty-reduction program for starters and alternators to help stop misdiagnosis with good parts.

The program aims to prevent technicians from returning good units that in turn wastes their time and their customers’ time, MPA said. MPA attaches a prominent red “Call Before You Return” tags on products that must be removed before installation can proceed and if a starter or alternator does not work, customers are instructed to call a toll-free tech line manned by ASE certified technicians.

“Misdiagnosis is common with the installation of starters and alternators even though the units are good,” said Rick Mochulsky, MPA’s senior vice president of sales. “There are literally a multitude of tricky faults that may occur that have nothing to do with the integrity of the starters or alternators. With starters, the problem can range from a bad battery to poor wiring connections. With alternators, the problem can range from a defect in the control module to a slipping drive belt.”